Whitening Your Teeth With Braces: What are Your Options? (2024)

FAQs

Whitening Your Teeth With Braces: What are Your Options? ›

If mild discoloration occurs, using a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse can lift surface stains. Depending on the type of braces you're wearing, you might also be a candidate for whitening strips, whitening gels, or in-office dental treatments.

Beyond the cosmetic issues, whitening with braces can also result in irritation. Some whitening products increase teeth and gum sensitivity. Combine this with the sensitivity braces can also cause and you may add unnecessary discomfort to your orthodontic treatment.

At-Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening with Braces

Mix a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Apply this mixture to your teeth, avoiding the braces, and rinse thoroughly. This dynamic pair can remove surface stains for a dazzling grin.

Limitations with Braces: You can only use this whitening method Invisalign® or Invisible braces. Whitening strips are not a good option if you have traditional metal braces. This is because the whitening strip can not penetrate the tooth properly with brackets in place.

Overnight whitening products like strips, gels, and trays can lighten teeth. These magical concoctions often contain bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, breaking down stain molecules on your enamel's surface and leading to a noticeable improvement.

One of the most common reasons is the adherence of plaque and tartar deposits on teeth, as it becomes difficult to clean them optimally around the braces. Over time, more food particle adheres to the teeth, leading to tooth discolouration and making them appear yellower.

Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

Hydrogen peroxide is a common home remedy for whitening teeth. It is an ingredient in many teeth whitening solutions for use both at home and in the dentist's office. A simple hydrogen peroxide mouthwash may help remove mild stains.

Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.

What color cancels out yellow braces? ›

However, if you are looking to have the illusion of whiter teeth, consider the following. Darker blues and purples will create contrast and make your teeth look whiter. This is because blue is the contrasting color of yellow and the two will cancel each other out. Some shades of purple can also do this.

But, how long the baking soda takes to work depends on the severity of the stains. Generally, it takes about two weeks of daily use before you start seeing results. If you're looking for a quick fix, other options are available, such as professional teeth whitening in the Colony, TX, or take-home kits.

Using whitening strips and Zoom whitening treatment with a permanent retainer is not recommended due to the potential risks. Teeth whitening mouthwash can be used as long as it is alcohol-free, but it is best to consult a dental professional before use.

At-home whitening kits – At-home whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips are relatively effective, and can help whiten your teeth after braces.

Crest 3D Whitestrips are our pick as the best overall teeth-whitening strips, because our tests determined that they had the best results with the most effective active ingredients.

It is entirely normal for teeth to discolor in the course of teeth straightening. Cleaning your teeth with braces can be tricky, and it is common for plaque to build up around it.

Getting Teeth Whitened

Even if you wear tooth-colored ceramic braces or lingual braces hidden behind the teeth, it is better to wait. Your teeth will be going through some changes, so you don't want to make too many alterations at once.