You get your braces off after months of treatment and expect to see a dazzling, new, white smile. But your feet are a bit, well…yellow. Why do you have yellow teeth after braces, and how do you get your straight new smile whiter?
It’s not uncommon to have yellow teeth after braces. Often, teeth will discolor during braces treatment because of the challenges with cleaning teeth with braces. It could also be that you didn’t remember how yellow your teeth were when you started!
Teeth whitening after braces can give you the white, straight smile you want. But should you get teeth whitening treatments right after braces, or do you need to wait a bit? We can provide the answers!
Brushing and Flossing With Braces
It’s vital during braces treatment to brush and floss your teeth daily because they can discolor while your braces brackets are in place. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time and floss before brushing at least once daily.
Brushing with braces does more than prevent discoloration of your teeth. It also prevents cavities that can damage your teeth and slow your braces treatment. Brushing and flossing also prevents demineralization of your enamel, which can leave white spots on teeth after braces.
Brushing your teeth can also help remove food and drink that can stain your enamel, such as sodas, tea, coffee, berries, wine, and sauces, among others. Your teeth can be stained by using tobacco products, including smoking and vaping. It’s why we recommend that you refrain from using tobacco products during treatment.
Depending on how long you wear your braces, you may find your teeth are darker around where your braces brackets were located. That’s because food and drink can’t penetrate the bonding agent that holds your braces brackets in place.
White Spots on Teeth After Braces
Why would you have white spots on your teeth after braces? The same bacteria that can cause cavities starts by weakening your enamel. It does this by eating away at the minerals that make up your enamel. This is called demineralization.
Demineralization weakens the enamel and causes white spots to form. These white spots are areas where cavities can form without proper brushing and flossing.
Fluoride can help protect your teeth from demineralization and strengthen your enamel. That’s why it’s important to brush with a fluoride toothpaste. You can also get a fluoride treatment from your dentist to help protect your enamel.
Unfortunately, white spots from demineralization are permanent. While you can’t get rid of them, you can reduce their appearance by whitening your teeth.
Whitening Your Teeth During Braces
Whether you have white spots or not, you may want a whiter smile to go with your now-straight teeth. We recommend a professional whitening treatment after braces.
You don’t want to whiten your teeth during braces because the treatment cannot penetrate beneath the bonding agent that connects your braces brackets to your teeth. This is why we also recommend you do not use whitening toothpaste during braces treatment.
Whitening Your Teeth After Braces
While you may be eager for that white smile, we recommend you wait a few months before whitening your teeth after braces. The main reason for this is tooth sensitivity.
Braces can make your teeth and gums sensitive as they move your teeth. Your teeth will still be sensitive immediately after getting your braces off. You will also be fitted with retainers, which you will need to wear 22 hours a day in the first few months after braces.
After about 3-6 months, your time in retainers will likely be reduced to eight hours a day, which usually means overnight for most patients. By then, your teeth may be less sensitive. This will make teeth whitening easier.
Why is this important? A common side effect of teeth whitening is temporary tooth sensitivity. It can be worse if your teeth are already sensitive. This is why we recommend waiting before having your teeth professionally whitened.
Professional Tooth Whitening vs. Home Tooth Whitening Kit
Why go to the dentist for a tooth whitening after braces when you can use a home whitening kit? There are several reasons why professional teeth whitening is better.
Professional whitening can lighten the shade of your teeth by several steps compared to one or two steps done by home test kits. Professional whitening also uses tools such as special lights that activate the whitening agent and help it to work better and faster than a home kit.
Professional whitening treatments also tend to make your teeth less sensitive than home kits. This is especially good for former braces patients whose teeth are just getting past the sensitivity caused by orthodontic treatment.
Brighter, Straighter Smiles in Jonesboro, AR
Teeth whitening is a common step patients take after braces because they want their new smile to be a brighter smile. We love to see our patients happy, but we also want them to be comfortable. That’s why it’s best to wait a bit before whitening your teeth through whichever method is best for you.
Are you unsure about whitening your teeth after braces? If you’re in Jonesboro, AR, talk with us at Fergus Orthodontics. We’ll be happy to help you out!
