Do You Still Need Regular Dental Check-Ups While You Have Braces?

Yes, you still need regular dental check-ups while you have braces. Your orthodontist looks after how your teeth and jaws are moving, but they are not there to check for decay, gum disease or mouth cancer between adjustments. The NHS is clear on this: its braces advice tells patients to keep having regular dental check-ups while they are wearing braces. This guide explains who does what, how often to go, what it costs on the NHS and privately, and what to tell your dentist when a brace goes on.

Does an orthodontist replace my dentist while I have braces?

No. An orthodontist and a general dentist do different jobs, and braces do not change that. The orthodontist plans and carries out tooth movement and later retention. The dentist watches the overall health of your mouth, treats decay and gum problems, and can refer you back to the orthodontist if something affects your treatment. Some practices do both under one roof, but the roles remain separate.

How often should you see your dentist when you have braces?

There is no single interval that suits everyone. NICE clinical guideline CG19, Dental checks: intervals between oral health reviews, says the interval between check-ups should be set for each patient according to their risk of dental disease. It also sets outer limits: the longest interval for patients under 18 should be 12 months, and the longest for patients aged 18 and over should be 24 months.

These are ceilings, not targets. Plaque collects around brackets and wires, and fixed braces make brushing and flossing slower. If your teeth are clean and healthy and you are cleaning well, your dentist may keep you on your usual interval. If you are starting to get inflamed gums or early signs of decay, they may ask to see you more often. That is a clinical judgement made by the dentist who examines you, not a rule that applies to everyone.

What does the NHS say about check-ups with braces?

The NHS advice on braces lists what to do while wearing them: brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning, at night and after meals, use an interdental brush to clean between your teeth and underneath your braces every day, and keep having regular dental check-ups. It also advises limiting sugary food and drink, avoiding hard, crunchy and sticky foods that can break braces, and not chewing gum. Our guide to cleaning your teeth with braces takes that routine step by step.

Contact your orthodontist, the NHS says, if your teeth are painful for more than a few days after braces are fitted or adjusted, your gums are very red, swollen or painful, or your braces are broken. In other words, your brace is the orthodontist's responsibility; the health of the gums and teeth around it is a shared concern that the dentist also monitors.

What will a dental check-up involve when you have braces?

The NHS describes a check-up as a dental healthcare professional looking inside your mouth, and also checking your lips and neck, for signs of conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease and mouth cancer. They may ask about symptoms, how you look after your teeth, your general health and medicines, and your diet. With braces, a few things get extra attention.

White spot marks are one of the best-known cleaning problems with fixed braces. Our guide to white spot lesions with braces explains what they are and how they are managed, and our guide to fluoride during orthodontic treatment covers what your dentist may recommend.

What does a check-up cost while you have braces?

The cost of a check-up is separate from the cost of your braces, and it depends on whether you are an NHS or private patient. On the NHS in England, you can get free dental appointments and treatment if you are aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education. That includes check-ups, so a child or teenager on NHS braces can also keep up regular NHS dental check-ups at no charge. Other groups who are exempt include people who are pregnant or who have had a baby in the last 12 months, and those on certain benefits.

Most adults pay for NHS dental care, with treatments grouped into charge bands that the NHS publishes on its website. Prices change, so check the NHS page on how much NHS dental treatment costs rather than relying on a figure in an article. If you have private braces and see a private dentist, ask what the fee for a check-up and any hygienist appointment is before you book. For help finding an NHS dentist, use the NHS online dentist finder.

Should you tell your dentist you have braces?

Yes. Tell your dentist as soon as a brace is planned, and again when it is fitted, even if you see a different practice for orthodontics. Mention the type of appliance, the name of the orthodontic practice and the expected length of treatment. Your dentist can then adjust their examination, give you tailored cleaning advice and avoid treatments that interfere with the appliance.

It also helps to know what should be done before braces go on. Many orthodontists want any decay or gum problems treated first. See our guide to dental work needed before braces and our article on good oral health before braces or aligners.

Who should you ring first when something goes wrong?

Ring the orthodontist for problems with the appliance and the dentist for problems with the tooth itself. When you cannot tell which it is, ring either practice and ask for advice; they can direct you. If you are in severe pain, have facial swelling or have knocked a tooth, seek urgent care straight away rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

For step-by-step advice on the most common problems, see our guide to orthodontic emergencies. Remember that gum and tooth problems around braces can need input from both practices, so let each one know what the other has advised.

What about hygienist appointments?

The NHS lists dental hygienists and dental therapists among the dental healthcare professionals who may carry out some of your treatment. A professional clean can remove plaque and tartar that is hard to reach around brackets. Whether you need one depends on how well your teeth are staying clean, and whether it is available on the NHS or privately depends on your clinical need and your dental practice. Ask your dentist whether it is advisable for you.

What happens to check-ups when your braces come off?

Check-ups continue after treatment. After your braces are removed you will wear a retainer to stop your teeth moving back, and your dentist will keep monitoring the health of your teeth and gums as before. Keep any retainer check appointments your orthodontist arranges, too; they are separate from your dental check-up, but both matter for keeping your result.