When you have traditional or ceramic braces, you may have some concerns about the bracket staining your teeth. Sure, you won’t be able to see them now, but when you complete your treatment, there’s a chance that there will be areas of your teeth that are a different color than the rest of the tooth.
However, it’s entirely possible to avoid this from happening as long as you’re proactive in caring for your teeth while you still have braces.
How to Stop Braces Stains from Forming
Lay Off Whitening Products
If you like to use whitening products, such as toothpaste, you’re better off holding off until your braces are removed. The reason being that the whitening products are only going to affect the exposed teeth, not the spaces that are covered by brackets. If you whiten your teeth while you have braces, you’ll notice a difference in brightness once you get your braces off.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
When you have braces, it’s essential that you brush and floss even more diligently than you normally would. Food particles and bacteria can build up around your brackets and under your wires, leading to discoloration and cavities. Make sure you’re brushing twice a day and using floss that is specifically designed to clean braces.
Limit Certain Foods
When it comes to the whiteness of your teeth, especially when you have braces covering parts of them, it’s best to follow the “lab coat rule.” This states that if a food or drink could stain a white lab coat, it can stain your teeth. To avoid discoloration around your braces, cut out or limit certain foods like tomato sauce, coffee, and soda.
Consider Sealing
If you’re very concerned about stains forming on your teeth while you have braces, ask your dentist about having a sealant applied to your teeth. This will help keep potential stains off your smile.