How To Whiten Teeth With Braces? - Elizabeth Street Dentist (2024)

While you are standing in front of the mirror, just before you begin brushing your teeth, you observe that your teeth have started to become yellower. It’s been less than three months since you got braces for straightening your teeth. “Why have my teeth become yellower after getting braces and how can I get rid of this problem?” you might ask yourself. Before we learn why that happens and how to get teeth white with braces, know this; you are not alone. Many individuals who wear braces also suffer from this problem.Â

The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent your teeth from turning yellow while wearing braces. This article explains everything you need to know about taking care of your smile with orthodontic braces.Â

Why Are My Teeth Turning Yellow With Braces?

Your teeth can turn yellow due to many reasons, especially when you are wearing braces.

• 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.
• Food impaction also promotes bacterial attachment. These bacteria release toxins that damage the outer layer of our teeth, the enamel. As a result, our teeth lose their opalescence and appear yellower.Â

Can You Use Whitening Strips With Braces?

While whitening strips are an excellent option for making your teeth whiter at home, they are not recommended while you are wearing braces.

This is because the whitening strips will only whiten the area of your teeth that is not covered by the braces. So, once your treatment has been completed and your orthodontist will take off your braces, you will feel that there is a mismatch between the shade and colour between different areas of the same tooth.

You may also find it incredibly difficult to actually get the teeth whitening strips onto your teeth with braces.

At this stage, even if you undergo professional teeth whitening, you may not be able to achieve a uniform shape and colour for your teeth. That is why dentists recommend undergoing teeth whitening, if necessary after your braces have been removed.Â

How To Whiten Teeth After Braces?

There are several teeth whitening treatment options you can choose from once your braces come off. You can either choose to undergo professional teeth whitening, done by a dentist, or at-home whitening, the comfort and convenience of your own homes. However, if you feel that your teeth have deep yellow or black stains, then it is better to undergo professional whitening. This is because dentists use high-potency yet safe bleaching agents to whiten your teeth, which offer better aesthetic results than the at-home whitening formulas.Â

What Happens If You Use Whitening Toothpaste With Braces?

If you use whitening toothpaste or whitening mouthwash with traditional braces, the abrasive agent present in them will remove the surface stains only from the exposed area that is not covered by the braces.

The ingredients of the toothpaste may not be able to penetrate the tooth surface beneath the braces As a result, a part of your teeth will be white, while the other will have a darker shade once the braces are taken off.

Therefore, it is best to get your teeth whitened only once your orthodontic treatment has been completed.Â

Can I Brush My Teeth With Baking Soda With Braces On?

Baking soda, chemically sodium bicarbonate, is a safe and effective option for whitening teeth. Research has also shown that baking soda also possesses antibacterial properties, thereby protecting the teeth from gum irritation or inflammation and teeth cavities.ÂHowever, when your brackets are taken of your teeth you may notice darker patches where the brackets have been, whitening after orthodontics is therefore advised.

How To Thoroughly Clean My Teeth While Wearing Braces?

One of the major problems often faced by braces wearers is the difficulty to clean their teeth optimally. However, no need to worry; the American Association of Orthodontists offer the following tips to enjoy sparkling white teeth while wearing braces:

• Toothbrush – there is nothing better than a toothbrush – whether manual or electric – when it comes to maintaining optimal oral hygiene.Â
• Interdental Brush – the bristles of a regular toothbrush are sometimes unable to penetrate beneath the orthodontic wires, or in the spaces between two teeth. In these cases, orthodontic patients can use an interdental brush, which has numerous fine bristles that can easily penetrate tight spaces is used. Dentists recommend using an interdental brush along with the regular toothbrush.Â
• Regular Flossing – like an interdental brush, flossing is also helpful in removing plaque deposits from tight spaces between the teeth and thereby preventing dental problems and teeth stains.Â
• Regular Dental Checkups – your orthodontist will keep a lookout for any underlying problems and treat them before they cause permanent. That is why regular dental checkups are important. If necessary, your dentist will perform office bleaching to remove plaque and tartar tooth deposits. Â

How To Remove Braces Stains From My Teeth?

There are various ways in which you can get rid of your teeth stains following the removal of your braces. The quickes and most effective among them is professional teeth whitening. In this procedure, your dentist will apply a bleaching agent on your teeth. Bleaching agents normally contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are free radicals that penetrate beneath the tooth surface and chemically dissolve teeth stains. In case the stains cannot be removed through whitening, your dentist may hide them cosmetically with porcelain veneers or crowns.

Are you thinking of getting braces near Victoria and Chelsea, London? Look no more! At Elizabeth Street Dental, we offer high quality dental services for your entire family. Whether you need tooth replacement with implants or braces for your kids, we provide all services under one roof. So, book a free consultation appointment with us today and let us take care of all your dental problems.Â