If you’ve just had your braces removed at Kingstowne Dental Specialists, or you’ll be having them taken off soon, you may be wondering if you should whiten your teeth after orthodontic treatment. In this blog, we’ll discuss the basics of whitening your teeth after braces, and provide you with our recommendations. Let’s get started.
Why Are My Teeth Stained After Braces? Common Causes Of Staining
Your teeth won’t always be pearly-white after your braces are removed. Primarily, this depends on how well you’ve cared for your teeth during the treatment process. Great oral hygiene will help your teeth stay bright. However, even if you take great care of your smile, you may still have stains.
Stains may happen due to the consumption of tea, coffee, juice, wine, and soda that can stain the enamel below your teeth. You can’t really clean the enamel below your brackets very well, so these beverages tend to stain underneath your braces, which can leave you with some spots on your teeth.
White spots are also a common problem. If you don’t brush properly, you may end up with white spots around your brackets. These are caused by enamel demineralization, which happens when acid eats away at the minerals on your teeth. These can be reversed with fluoride treatments and teeth whitening.
How Can I Whiten My Teeth After My Braces Come Off?
There are a few different ways that you can choose to whiten your teeth after your braces come off. Here’s a quick overview of your top options.
- Whitening toothpaste & mouthwash – Using a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash can help with minor stains, and will also help keep your teeth white. However, this is not the best choice for heavy staining.
- At-home whitening kits – At-home whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips are relatively effective, and can help whiten your teeth after braces. However, they will not whiten your teeth as quickly or effectively as professional whitening.
- Professional teeth whitening – If you have serious stains or white spots on your teeth, whitening treatment from a dentist is the best choice. With professional whitening, you’ll be able to quickly reverse years of staining in just a single appointment.
Will Teeth Whitening Make My Teeth Hurt?
We know that braces can be uncomfortable, so you probably want to avoid further tooth pain after you’ve had them removed. The good news is that teeth whitening will not make your teeth hurt. You may experience a bit of tooth sensitivity, but this should wear off within a few days, leaving you with a beautiful, bright, and even smile.
Teeth Whitening Is A Great Option After Your Braces Are Removed
After your braces are removed by Dr. Robert Marzban at Kingstowne Dental Specialists, we highly recommend teeth whitening if you have any stains or white spots. Our team can refer you to a local cosmetic dentist, or recommend products to use for at-home whitening, and ensure your smile looks its best.
If you have questions about braces and teeth whitening, feel free to give us a call at (703) 493-0622 or contact us online for more information.
FAQs
We suggest that all of our patients wait six months after getting their braces removed to whiten teeth. Wearing braces can cause teeth to feel weaker for a period of time, so giving yourself a while to adjust will make whitening more comfortable.
Is it okay to whiten your teeth after braces? ›
Teeth Tend to Be More Sensitive After Braces
To avoid the discomfort of highly sensitive teeth, it may be wise to wait a while before you get your smile whitened. Dentists often recommend that patients hold off on whitening for at least six months.
What if my teeth are stained after braces? ›
Don't panic! A dental cleaning should be able to remove any plaque or surface food and drink stains that have built up while you've been wearing braces, which will improve the color of your teeth. If you have more advanced staining, you may benefit from an additional whitening option like: Whitening toothpaste.
How much is teeth whitening after braces? ›
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
| Teeth Whitening Treatment | Average Cost |
|---|
| In-office whitening | $650 for upper and lower teeth;3 internal teeth can cost up to $272 per tooth5 |
| Dentist-provided take-home kits | $100 to $4003 |
| Over-the-counter products | $20 to $100 per product3 |
Dec 15, 2023
While some orthodontic patients are anxious about getting their teeth whitened, patience is a virtue in this respect. Whitening the teeth is not necessary before getting braces, as you will wear the braces for about two years so that no one will notice the effects of the whitening process.
Why do teeth turn yellow after braces? ›
Wearing braces presents special challenges for proper brushing and flossing. It definitely takes more dedication and time, and many teens (and adults) rush through the process. As a result, teeth may become discolored. Teeth become yellow (or get white spots) because of plaque and tartar accumulation.
What is the best way to whiten your teeth with braces? ›
The best way to gently whiten your teeth and prevent stains while you have braces is to use a whitening toothpaste or whitening mouthwash. Since you're already brushing twice a day, using whitening toothpaste is an easy way to achieve a brighter smile with little effort.
Do white marks from braces go away? ›
Unfortunately, there's no way for you to remove white spots on your own. Working with a great cosmetic dentist can provide you with various treatments for white spot removal after braces. Depending on the extent of the staining and how many teeth are involved, the process may be as simple as whitening your teeth.
Why are my teeth turning black with braces? ›
Remineralize – The tooth discoloration while wearing braces is caused by plaque and acid buildup, which causes demineralization of your tooth's enamel You need to restore the proper balance of mineral in your enamel and there are several creams and gels you can use.
Can braces damage your enamel? ›
Enamel wear (also called abrasion) can occur against both ceramic and metal brackets. The fact that fixed braces need to be attached to the surface of the tooth poses a potentially devastating effect to the tooth's enamel.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment for appearance—not function—so your insurance company will not offer benefits for it. Still bleaching will enhance your straightened teeth after braces and show off your smile. So you might want to pay for it anyway.
What color braces make teeth whiter? ›
Make your teeth look whiter – Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. Even so, be aware that colors like dark green and brown can look like food. What about white braces – Although this may be a color you were thinking of, you may want to stray away.
How long do teeth last after whitening? ›
Is teeth whitening permanent? Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.
Should I whiten or brush my teeth first? ›
We recommend that with any form of whitening that teeth are brushed beforehand. This is to ensure that any plaque (this sticky surface layer on your teeth) is removed and that any whitening agent present in the strips or gel gets the closest contact with the teeth.
Will my teeth look better after braces? ›
From an aesthetic perspective, it's likely you'll notice a change in your smile after having braces. Braces align and correct your teeth or bite. So depending on the treatment you need, you might notice your smile appears straighter or less crowded or that your teeth are in different positions.
Do you get to pick a color when you first get braces? ›
Whether you want to choose your favorite color, look festive, or match your favorite sports team, there is no wrong answer. Additionally, since you will likely have your wires tightened whenever you visit your orthodontist, you can choose new colors at each appointment.
Do orthodontists clean teeth after braces? ›
Following the removal of your braces, your teeth will need a thorough cleaning. That's because braces tend to trap plaque and food in your teeth. Your orthodontist will also polish your teeth with a hard grinder, removing any residue of the adhesive used to fix your brackets to your teeth.
Why do my teeth look big after braces? ›
Your teeth may appear larger as a result of this improved aesthetic quality because they are more noticeable and catch people's attention. An appealing smile with proper teeth alignment can provide the appearance of bigger, more pronounced teeth.
How do you whiten stained braces? ›
Get alcohol free mouthwash and gargle with it 3 times a day, making sure to keep it in your mouth for at least 2 minutes at a time. This should be able to break up most stains, but not all of them. If you are serious about removing them, use a bit of sodium bicarbonate and apply it to a toothbrush.
Do orthodontists file your teeth after braces? ›
Tooth Filing Is Recommended After Braces
It is a procedure that takes less than one hour to complete depending on the amount of reshaping your teeth needs. While the procedure may be required after finishing wearing braces, sometimes, an orthodontist may not perform it depending on how your teeth's edges look.
