There are many individuals who while receiving their orthodontic treatment oftentimes wonder if it is possible to get their teeth whitened? It’s understandable that people want to know how to whiten teeth with braces or whether they should wait to getteeth whitened after braces. Whitening teeth after braces is definitely far better than teeth whitening with braces. So if you were wondering how to whiten teeth with braces, the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of experts actually recommend against it.
Teeth whitener for braces
It is very common for orthodontists to encounter patients who want to whiten their teeth either during or after the orthodontic treatment with braces (Arboleda-Lopez C et al., 2015).
The answer often given is that ideally tooth whitening should be done after the debonding of brackets at the end of the orthodontic treatment (Arboleda-Lopez C et al., 2015).Teeth whitener for braces can be done best after the braces come off to ensure uniformity of color.
Although patients can proceed with teeth whitening during the orthodontic treatment with braces, research has shown that whitening is of a higher quality when done without braces (Arboleda-Lopez C et al., 2015). If you try to use a whitener with your braces on, you can end up with a different color than what is under your brackets and bands.
How to Get White Teeth With Braces
The easiest way to whiten your teeth with braces on is if you are using the Invisalign clear aligners. You can remove them for the teeth whitening procedure and then put them back in when the treatment is done. Your teeth will be able to be treated evenly and the color will be uniform.
The real question you should be asking is what to do about yellow teeth after braces and how to whiten teeth after braces? As the expert shows, it can be difficult to correctly whiten teeth while your braces are still on and it is far better to whiten the teeth either before braces or after the braces have come off.
The reasoning for this of course is quite simple – braces can block important access to areas of your teeth that you might want to have whitened. If you continue to do teeth whitening or attempt to do teeth whitening, while you have your braces on, then when your braces come off you are likely to have spots where the brackets were mounted and your teeth whitening was unsuccessful.
One of the surest ways of making sure that your teeth stay white while wearing your braces is to make sure that you go and receive regular cleanings from your dentist along with brushing regularly yourself. Most yellowing is caused by a buildup of plaque or other residue and so getting regular cleanings from your dentist or orthodontist can help keep that from accumulating, making sure that your smile stays white even while you’re receiving your orthodontic treatment.
Brushing your teeth after every meal will make sure that you remove any food particles that might lead to plaque buildup, and that can lead to tartar buildup if not removed. Tartar is that kind of off-white crystalline stuff that you get between your teeth, and when you have braces, it can build up around the brackets and bands also. This can also discolor your teeth if left unattended.
Brushing your teeth gently with a soft-bristled brush will sweep away food particles, and good flossing or use of a water irrigation device will keep your pearly whites pearly.
Something else to be mindful of is consuming staining beverages, like brown sodas, tea, or coffee. All of these can lead to discolouration of your teeth and make it harder to keep your teeth white while wearing braces. They can also be acidic, which can lead to demineralization of your teeth and also alter the colour.
Should I get teeth whitening after braces Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels?
You really should wait for whitening teeth after braces come off. After the braces come off, it’ll be far easier to get your treatment and to make sure that your teeth are now a uniform color. After all, spotted teeth or irregular shades of whitening can be very unbecoming and so getting it done after the braces have been removed is a far better option for the vast majority of people.
Oftentimes this can be done from the very same place that did your braces in the first place. By talking with your local orthodontist about teeth whitening after braces, you can know what to expect, how they can do it, and what it all entails. The fact of the matter is that not only are dentists and orthodontists capable of doing it, they actually have access to better whitening agents than you can buy in the grocery store or drug store. This is because some whitening agents are stronger than others and need to be used under expert supervision.
After undergoing whitening from your dental or orthodontic office, many individuals report that they can see that their teeth are several shades lighter in just a single treatment. Not only does it help get your smile white but it is also the fastest way of getting a whiter smile. After getting your braces off it’s important that your teeth look their best and so talking with your orthodontic or dental office about follow-up treatments for whitening your teeth can help make sure that as soon as the braces are off you can have that beautiful straight white smile that you have been looking forward to for so long. It really isn’t worth your time, the inconvenience, and the difficulty of attempting to whiten teeth while your braces are on.
Teeth whitened after braces
Attempting to whiten your teeth at your house with strips or gels could even potentially cause damage to your orthodontic equipment. Though you may wonder how to whiten teeth with braces on, you will find that patience will be rewarded if you just wait until the braces come off. It is far better to have regular dental cleanings while the braces are installed and then have your orthodontic or dental office do a professional whitening when they come off so you can celebrate your new and beautiful smile.
Summary:
If you are considering whitening your teeth and getting braces, it is best that you get your braces first, finish your orthodontic treatment, and then proceed to get your teeth whitened. The reason for this is that during your orthodontic treatment with braces, your teeth are going to shift positions, and there may be some altered coloration of your teeth. If you get your teeth whitened prior to having your treatment, you might end up with an abnormal pattern or coloration of your teeth.
It is important to consider if you really need to whiten your teeth, or if you can avoid the discoloration that many might complain of after braces. This discoloration that accompanies orthodontic treatment with braces is caused by a variety of factors and is avoidable. One of the biggest contributing factors to discoloration is the presence of plaque and tartar.
Another big contributing factor is the consumption of particular foods that contribute to staining the teeth. Plaque and tartar on the teeth can develop from a combination of poor oral hygiene and not avoiding certain foods.
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine while wearing braces can be difficult, but it is very essential. Plaque is a sticky colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and can remove minerals from the teeth. The removal of these minerals leads to changes in the way the surface of your teeth reflects light and therefore leads to an alteration in the color of your teeth.
Additionally, plaque can harden and lead to tartar which is a crusty hard material that can only be removed by a professional. To avoid these unsightly discolorations of your teeth and possible infection, it is necessary to ensure that while you have your braces on you maintain a good oral routine.
Once your braces are off, ask your orthodontist near me for their professional opinion about whether you should whiten your teeth professionally.
Reference:
Arboleda-Lopez C, Manasse RJ, Viana G, Bedran-Russo AB, Evans CA (2015). Tooth Whitening during Orthodontic Treatment: a Six Month in vitro Assessment of Effectiveness and Stability. International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Health 1(4)http://dx.doi.org/10.16966/2378-7090.120
