Tips to Prevent Teeth Stains and Discoloration After Braces
The day the orthodontist removes your braces is an exciting one. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably looked forward to that day since they first put the braces on. With all of the time, money, and patience that you’ve put into your smile, the last thing you want is stains and discoloration on your teeth after the braces are removed.
Stains on your teeth can be caused by a number of factors. In some cases, stains are caused by food that is stuck in between your braces. In others, it’s because of the accumulation of dental plaque. For that reason, taking care of your braces during treatment plays a crucial role in the success of your orthodontic treatment. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help prevent discoloration and stains on your teeth after orthodontic treatment.
Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
The standard oral care recommendation is to brush two or three times each day with a soft bristled brush. However, when you wear braces, you should brush after every time you eat. Cleaning your braces and teeth helps reduce plaque buildup in your teeth. Additionally, particles have an easier time becoming trapped between your braces and the longer they remain there, the greater risk you have of developing dental problems.
Avoid Teeth Staining Foods and Drinks
Another way to avoid discoloration of your teeth is to stay away from foods and drinks that are known to leave stains. Generally speaking, your orthodontist will give you a list of foods and drinks to stay away from. These typically include:
- Coffee
- Soda
- Food coloring
- Dark teas
These foods and drinks can easily get stuck between your brackets or directly stain your teeth. Additionally, it’s best to avoid these items to reduce plaque buildup.
Consume Less Sugar
We all know how delicious sugary foods like candy and cookies are, but it’s recommended that you reduce your intake of these items. Consuming sugar isn’t good for your health or teeth, so it’s best to avoid it while you have braces. Sugary, starchy and acidic foods are especially harmful to your teeth and can lead to stains and cavities. Furthermore, biting down on hard or chewy candy can bend your wires and break your brackets.
Regularly Floss to Avoid Teeth Stains
In addition to brushing, flossing should also be part of your oral hygiene routine. Flossing removes food particles and plaque from your braces and teeth. As a rule, you should floss not only between the braces, but also under the wires.
For more information, take a look at some of our patient care videos.
Attend All of Your Orthodontic and Dental Appointments
In general, you should see your dentist for an oral exam and dental cleaning at least twice a year. However, you may need to go in more often when wearing braces. Additionally, you should visit your orthodontist to ensure that your orthodontic treatment is on track and doesn’t need any repairs.
Are you worried about stains or discoloration of your teeth after braces? Do you have questions about orthodontic treatment for yourself or your children? Then look no further than the professionals at Moles & Ferri Orthodontics. We’re a technologically sophisticated orthodontic practice providing a full spectrum of orthodontic services, including Invisalign, Lingual Braces and Suresmile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at any one of our offices located in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and Racine.