I always wonder if it’s actually more important with braces or if I’m just being paranoid.
You’re not being paranoid at all—it really does matter more with braces. All those wires and brackets make it so much easier for plaque to hide, which ups your risk for white spots and cavities. I see a lot more fluoride recommendations for ortho patients for that reason. It’s not just a money thing, especially when you’ve already had white spots show up. Totally get the frustration with costs, though... dental stuff adds up fast.
All those wires and brackets make it so much easier for plaque to hide, which ups your risk for white spots and cavities. I see a lot more fluoride recommendations for ortho patients for that reason.
That’s spot on. Braces really do change the game when it comes to cavity risk. I get the concern about whether it’s just a money thing, but honestly, I see way more issues with white spots and early decay in folks who skip the extra fluoride while in braces. It’s not just hype—those white spots are a pain to deal with later and can be permanent.
How often you actually need fluoride at the dentist depends a bit on your risk level. For most people with braces, I’d say every cleaning (so every 6 months) is pretty standard, but if you’ve already had white spots or cavities, sometimes we bump it up to every 3 months. Some insurance plans cover it, some don’t, which is super frustrating—I wish it was more consistent.
At home, using a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste or a daily rinse can help too. I’ve seen patients keep their teeth in great shape through two years of braces just by being religious about that stuff. But yeah, it’s one more thing to remember (and pay for), which is annoying.
I get why you’d question whether it’s all necessary. Dental costs add up fast, and it can feel like you’re always being upsold. But after seeing what happens when people skip it, especially with braces, I’m always going to recommend it. I’ve had patients regret not doing it when they see those white spots after the brackets come off. It’s a bummer, because by then it’s tough to fix.
Has anyone else had insurance actually cover the extra fluoride? I feel like it’s hit or miss.
I’ve been getting the fluoride treatment every time I go in for a cleaning since I got my braces on, so that’s twice a year. My ortho was pretty insistent about it because I had a couple of spots starting to show up after the first few months, and honestly, I’d rather deal with the extra step than have permanent marks when these come off. The stuff they use at the dentist is stronger than what you get over the counter, too.
Insurance has been weird about it for me—sometimes they cover it, sometimes I get a random bill for like $25. Super annoying, but compared to what fixing those white spots would cost (or just having them forever), I’ll take it. I also use a prescription fluoride toothpaste at home now, which feels a bit extra but it’s easy enough to add to my routine.
I know some people roll their eyes at all the “extras” they push when you’re in braces, but after seeing how fast things can go south if you slack on hygiene, I’m convinced it’s worth it.
Fluoride’s been my buddy for years now—my dentist practically bathes my teeth in it every time I’m in the chair. I used to think it was overkill, but after dealing with a few “mystery spots” in my 40s, I’m all for it. Insurance is a real circus with this stuff, though. One visit it’s free, next time it’s like, surprise, here’s a bill. Still, I’d rather fork over $25 now than pay for cosmetic fixes later. Braces or not, I’m convinced it’s worth the hassle.
Totally get where you’re coming from on the insurance circus—one time they covered my kid’s fluoride, the next visit it was “not medically necessary.” Makes zero sense. But honestly, I’d rather pay the random $20 here and there than deal with cavities down the line. My daughter’s teeth are way healthier since we started regular fluoride. I used to think it was just a sales pitch, but seeing fewer cavities and less drama at checkups changed my mind. The hassle is annoying, but honestly, it’s worth it in the long run.
