Are you able to get braces if you have cavities ?

Priority #1: First- get all your cavities taken care of as well as getting a good cleaning. Your teeth and gums need to be in top health prior to orthodontic treatment. Proceeding with braces first is looking for big problems!

Braces: It is unwise, to say the least, to start braces when you have cavities. Most orthodontists will not even start until all the teeth are either cavity free or properly restored. It is much more difficult to clean teeth when orthodontic appliances are in the mouth. Do not even think about braces if you still have cavities.

You can..: .. But unlikely that any dentist or orthodontist would start treatment if there were carious lesions present. Have the cavities restored first, then start the orthodontics.

Active cavities, No: Do you mean you had cavities that have been fixed or active cavities that have not been fixed? If you had previous cavities that have been fixed then yes you can still get braces. If you currently have active cavities, then you must have them fixed prior to getting braces. See your dentist for a complete check up prior to starting orthodontic treatment.

Fix cavities first: No ethical Orthodontic Specialist would place braces onto infected teeth. Your Orthodontist will consult with your General Dentist to make sure your mouth is infection free (teeth and gums) before starting treatment. Sometimes it is wise to do final restorations after the occlusion has been corrected, but infections must be controlled first.