Are you planning to start treatment with braces soon, or your treatment is coming to an end and you’re scared of stained teeth? We know teeth stains may be a cause for concern for some people, but we have tips to help you achieve the smile you’ve always desired—without the stains!
The first thing to keep in mind is that braces themselves don’t stain your teeth; braces are made of high-grade materials that don’t rust or cause discoloration. It’s the build-up of plaque and food particles that can cause your teeth to turn yellow.
As your Jupiter Orthodontist, we are here to help you navigate your life with braces with three easy steps to keep your teeth white and your oral hygiene at its best!
3 Tips to Avoid Teeth Stains
1. Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly
Your mouth is home to over 700 types of bacteria, so you can imagine how much bacteria is on your teeth and around your gum line if you don’t brush diligently! Brushing your teeth at least twice a day can minimize plaque and bacteria that cause the teeth to stain. It can also ward off gum disease!
Committing to oral hygiene habits not only prevents stains, but it can also have a profound impact on your health and longevity. Consider using an interproximal orthodontics brush to optimize your results and clean the hard-to-reach spaces between brackets and wires!
2. Avoid Whitening Toothpaste
Some people may opt for whitening toothpaste, thinking it’ll prevent teeth staining. However, this method will actually make the problem worse! Whitening toothpaste can reduce the enamel responsible for the natural, beautiful shine on your teeth. It’ll also lighten the exposed tooth surfaces that aren’t covered by your braces brackets. Before you purchase any whitening products throughout your treatment, consult with Dr. King! He’ll help you make the best decision for your smile.
3. Use Flossing Threaders Flossing threaders can make a huge difference in your treatment! Unfortunately, not enough people are flossing their teeth regularly. Research shows that only 37% of the American population flossed their teeth in 2016. Flossing regularly can maximize the results from your smile transformation. Flossing can help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay and clean the areas where a regular toothbrush can’t reach.
If you’re still wondering what you can do to keep your teeth white while having braces, we are here to help you! (Many of our patients choose Invisalign® clear aligners, because they’re removable and practically invisible. With clear aligners, there aren’t any brackets or wires to get in the way of your toothbrush or floss threaders!)
The Jupiter Orthodontics team is here to support you throughout your treatment. We don’t want you to fear yellow or stained teeth emerging after your treatment. Seeing your new smile is incredibly exciting—especially when you take the necessary precautions during your treatment to avoid stained teeth!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. If you’re ready to begin your smile journey, take the first step by requesting your free consultation today.
You can rest assured that you’re in the best hands when you visit Dr. King at Jupiter Orthodontics!