How to Prevent Stains from Braces? For First Time and Long-Time Users
If you’re getting braces, keep in mind that your chance of tooth discoloration goes up during the process. Patients with traditional braces are more likely than others to experience discoloration of the teeth. Teeth with braces are prone to developing more plaque if they aren’t cleaned frequently enough. In this article, we will discuss ways how to prevent teeth stains from braces.
If you have braces on, you may find it difficult or impossible to brush and floss your teeth properly. A stain may form around the brackets and along the gum line as a result. The removable aligners used in Invisalign therapy still require brushing after each meal because the aligners may “capture” bacteria that are not brushed away after they are in place.
Ways to Prevent Stains from Braces
Food can get lodged between the brackets of braces, causing bacteria to grow and plaque to form, even though braces don’t stain your teeth. If plaque is not removed, it releases acids that eat away at the minerals in the enamel, causing it to break down. White patches and other discolorations are possible side effects and an elevated risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Tooth discoloration due to braces is something no one desires, especially for an extended period. Follow these suggestions to keep your teeth from stains:
Brush thoroughly
Brushing twice a day was a great solution when you didn’t have braces. With braces, brushing after meals is best. Sugar and food particles are removed from brackets and wires when teeth are brushed for 2-3 minutes. With a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush, brush away from the gumline. Gently exfoliate the gums with a toothbrush. Allow yourself 10 to 15 minutes to thoroughly clean your teeth after getting braces to avoid discoloration.
Floss once a day
Flossing once a day is recommended by the majority of dentists and orthodontists. However, if you have braces, you may find that you need to floss more frequently, as food particles may become caught in the brackets. Plaque that grows around the brackets of your braces and the food debris it accumulates may cause stains on your braces. If you’re having difficulty threading regular waxed floss around your braces, we recommend trying a floss product created exclusively for persons with braces.
Avoid teeth-staining foods
You’ll want to avoid staining your teeth as much as possible while wearing braces, in addition to gritty and sticky foods that can damage your braces. When it comes to staining, having braces can increase the risk of tooth decay. Brackets can collect food and drinks, resulting in heavier stains. Since food only stains the visible tooth enamel, you will have discolored teeth with a white center after your braces come off.
Read More: How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth with Braces?
Visit a dental professional regularly
Schedule routine cleanings and inspections with your dentist to keep your teeth healthy. Your dentist can also detect any areas beneath or around your braces if plaque has accumulated.
Ensure that you adhere to your orthodontist’s instructions. Failure to do so may result in an increased length of time spent in orthodontic treatment, resulting in discoloration.
Whiten your teeth only after your braces are removed
When whitening your teeth with braces, you should wait until your treatment is finished to avoid two-toned results or the appearance of discolored teeth.
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Some of the whitening treatments available are:
Teeth whitening
The use of toothpaste, strips, gels, and more can help individuals whiten their teeth at home or the office. However, it is recommended that you consult your dentist to determine what is best for your teeth. After you’ve had your braces removed, you’ll get the finest results from teeth-whitening solutions. If you have braces, brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste and an electric toothbrush may help keep them whiter.
Remineralizing Teeth
You can use a mineral paste to replenish minerals that have been removed from the teeth. Calcium and phosphate from the paste can be reabsorbed by the teeth over time through daily use, replenishing minerals lost during brushing.
It is recommended that you consult with your dentist before using any product purchased over the counter. When the minerals are absorbed, the spots begin to diminish and eventually disappear.
Dental Filling
If the white spots are left untreated, they can cause a small hole in the teeth or a cavity. Your dentist can use a resin that matches the color of the neighboring teeth to fill in the hole in your tooth.
A cavity must be filled as soon as possible if the damage caused by the spot has reached the outer enamel and needs to be repaired before bacteria cause more decay.
Contact Kumra Orthodontics to learn more about how to prevent stains from braces
Following the removal of braces, some patients experience white spots or stains on their teeth. This can be a life-changing experience, but it is not always so. Although stained teeth are an undesirable effect, they do occur on occasion.
If you’d like to learn more about how to prevent stains from braces, contact Kumra Orthodontics today!
