Having braces can be a real pain, but it is worth it in the end when you have straight teeth and a beautiful smile. We are often asked many questions about teeth whitening with braces, such as:
- Can I have teeth whitening while wearing braces?
- Can I have teeth whitening after my braces are off?
- Should I get my teeth whitened before getting braces?
In this article, we will explore the answer to each of these questions with the most prominent being ‘Can I have Teeth Whitening with Braces? But before doing so, we need to look at why your teeth became stained while wearing braces in the first place.
Why do teeth become discoloured while wearing braces?
- One of the most common reasons teeth become stained is that food can get caught in between the brackets and wires, which can cause staining over time.
- The braces themselves can sometimes cause teeth to become discoloured as they prevent the toothbrush bristles from reaching and cleaning all areas. It is also more difficult to clean between your teeth.
Can I get teeth whitening with Braces?
To answer this question first we need to look at how Teeth Whitening actually works? Teeh whitening work by applying bleaching agents, typically containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to your teeth.
Traditional braces have metal or clear brackets attached to the teeth with a metal wire truss beween each tooth bracket. Bracket are glued directly onto each tooth, whitening your teeth with the brackets in place can cause dark spots and uneven colouring once the brackets are removed. The metal braces themselves may also change colour due to the hydrogen peroxide, an ingredient in the whitening gel that can react with metal. We recommend that you wait until your treatment plan is completed before considering whitening your teeth.
In breif, teeth whitening with braces complicate the process:
- Bracket Coverage: Whitening gels cannot reach the areas under brackets and wires, which can lead to uneven whitening once braces are removed.
- Sensitivity: Whitening products can sometimes increase tooth sensitivity, and braces can already make teeth more sensitive.
- Gum Irritation: Whitening agents can irritate gums, which may already be tender due to braces adjustments.
- Damage to the Metal: Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide with metal braces can damage the metal or cause discoloration of the metal.
- Damage to the Bracket: Since the brackets are glued directly onto your teeth, whitening your teeth with braces the brackets in place can cause dark spots and uneven colouring once the braces are removed
Is there anything I can do to whiten my teeth while I have braces?
You should schedule hygiene appointments with your dentist every six months, or more frequently if your orthodontist recommends it, to clean around braces and monitor oral health. During these visits, a hygienist will use specialised tools to thoroughly clean plaque and tartar from brackets and wires. They should alsol provide advice on proper brushing, flossing, and other home care techniques to prevent issues like cavities and gum inflammation.
Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene at Home
While getting your teeth cleaned by a professional is important, taking care of your oral hygiene at home is equally crucial. Here are some tips:
- Brush regularly: Always use a good-quality, soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be extra-careful when brushing around the brackets.
- Use interdental brushes: Take advantage of interdental brushes that are small and can get into the tight spaces between the brackets and wires and clean them effectively.
- Floss daily: Flossing becomes much more important when you are wearing braces. Try using a floss threader or orthodontic flossers to get around the wires.
- Rinse after meals: The simple swirling of water around your your cheeks and mouthto losen food particles trapped between the teeth and in the braces
Can I whiten my teeth after Braces?
Anyone who has had braces will tell you that their teeth were a bit of a mess and patchy once their braces were removed. It is best to wait until you have completed your orthodontic treatment to begin a teeth whitening treatment. Once your teeth are free of the wire and brackets, your can have you teeth professionally whitened as the gel can reach all the surfaces evenly. You will achieve better, longer-lasting results, and you won’t have to worry about the whitening treatment being adversely affected by the braces.
Is there a standown period after my braces are removed before whitening my teeth?
We recommend a one-month standdown period between having your braces removed and undertaking professional teeth whitening.
Can I whiten my teeth before Braces?
It depends on your personal preference and the goals you have set for your smile. If you are searching for ways to improve your overall smile appearance, then getting your teeth whitened before getting braces is a better idea. This way, once you get rid of your braces, you’ll retrieve a stunning, straight smile shining bright. However, if your primary goal is to get braces for correcting orthodontic troubles such as misaligned teeth, crowding, or bite problems, then whitening teeth before braces does not make much sense.
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iSmile Professional In-Clinic Teeth Whitening Auckland offers the most developed, safe and gentle teeth whitening system available on the market today! iSmile Auckland Teeth Whitening Practitioners are fully qualified and registered members of the New Zealand Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Association (NZCTWA). Check out iSmile Teeth whitening treatment options.
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