The feeling you have after getting your braces removed is one of a kind. It’s such a relief knowing that treatment is over and your teeth have moved into proper alignment. You finally have the smile you’ve always wanted, plus it’s hard to beat that feeling of smooth teeth after your brackets have been removed.
Unfortunately, some people get their braces off and are distressed by the color of their teeth. If this is something that you are concerned about, there’s no reason to stress! BRO offers a safe and easy way to get your teeth whitened after braces.
Why Teeth May Yellow With Braces On
Stained and yellowed teeth after braces is very much the norm among both adolescent and adult patients. Braces, whether ceramic or traditional, are not the root cause of discoloration, but poor hygiene by the wearer of the braces can lead to yellowing and stains. This has to do with how that person cared for their teeth while they were getting treatment. Difficulty brushing, snacking, and flossing all affect how poorly or how well a person with braces takes care of their teeth, which in turn necessitates whitening after the braces have been removed.
Plaque & Tartar
A common cause of stains on teeth is the accumulation of plaque in the crevices of the teeth. Plaque is a colorless, tacky film that forms on teeth from consuming food and drink. When combined with sugars, plaque creates acids that pull the minerals from the teeth. This changes the way light reflects off the surface of the tooth. Sometimes this produces unusual white spots on the teeth.
Plaque carries an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay, especially if you have braces.
When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar. This is a crusty deposit that can form in as little as 24 hours (if not brushed). Yellow and brown stains are often caused by tartar, and it can make the removal of newly formed plaque more difficult. Only a dental professional can remove tartar buildup.
Braces’ Effect on Oral Hygiene
Plaque and tartar are the main causes of tooth discoloration, and the only way to prevent that is by practicing good oral hygiene. People with braces should be sure to rinse and brush after every meal, as well as floss at least twice a day.
Braces do make cleaning your teeth a little trickier, but fortunately our team has all the tips and tricks you need. You’ll need to learn how to brush around the brackets and wires at first and flossing will take a little more time, but inadequate flossing and brushing leaves food remnants that lead to plaque buildup.
Consider scheduling a professional cleaning at BRO. This service is available at our clinics in Asheville and Hendersonville. You can count on a professional to use the right tools and techniques to get to and clean hard to reach places between the wires and brackets that make up your braces.
Foods That Increase Yellowing
Watching what you eat and drink is one of the easiest ways to take care of your teeth, including their whiteness. Tea, coffee, soda, wine, and dark juices can all stain your teeth and eventually lead to discoloration. Even soy sauce can stain teeth. Starchy, sugary, or acidic foods promote the growth of bacteria, which can begin to demineralize your teeth, such as pickles, cranberries, tomato sauce, and more.
Whitening Teeth After Braces
Stains on teeth can easily make a person feel insecure. You can whiten your teeth at home with a whitening toothpaste, which may be enough to remove some surface stains. Whitening toothpastes have fluoride, which strengthens enamel, as well as chemicals or polishing agents that specialize in removing stains.
You can also do an at-home whitening treatment. Whitening gel is one product that many dentists agree work well, but you often need custom whitening trays to use this product. Whitestrips, especially those made by Crest, have been very popular, and dentists agree that they are effective.
Whitening teeth is also a common dental service. It’s also very safe. When you come in for a whitening, you’ll be assisted by one of our dental hygienists, who will whiten your teeth with a professional-grade solution. These materials will be placed on your teeth and set with ultraviolet light. After about 20-60 minutes, or once you’ve achieved the white shade that you desire, you’ll be all set!
It’s always recommended that you get your teeth whitened after having braces instead of before, as having them whitened before can result in uneven shades on the surface of your teeth. One of the most common reasons that people get braces is to fix crooked teeth, which often overlap. If you’ve just whitened your teeth before getting braces, the whitening agent might not have been able to reach some of the areas of the teeth, which will result in a patchy look.
Why You Should Wait 6 Months
We suggest that all of our patients wait six months after getting their braces removed to whiten teeth. Wearing braces can cause teeth to feel weaker for a period of time, so giving yourself a while to adjust will make whitening more comfortable. It;s also often the case that a person’s saliva is enough to reduce the intense discoloration they found after getting their braces removed. It’s best to wait for six months and see what happens before going in for a whitening.
It is also recommended that any teeth whitening be performed by a dental professional for the best results. Professional teeth whitening is not only more effective than at-home options, but dental professionals are capable of spotting signs of demineralization or gum disease.
Every person should finish their braces treatment feeling fabulous about their new smile. If some discoloration or staining is making you frown, contact us to set up a whitening appointment.
