Why should teeth be whitened after removing braces?
Finally, after a long time, you are going to take off your braces. Most people are counting the moments for such a day. And they are waiting to see themselves without braces as soon as possible. If you’re going to get your braces soon, you’re probably looking forward to looking directly in the mirror to see your straight, even teeth and be delighted.
The good news was that you are finally going to see your straight teeth without any wires or other tools. But we also have bad news for you. The bad news is that after the braces are removed, the color of your teeth is going to bother you a bit. Because the parts of the tooth to which the bracket was attached can have a different color than other parts of the tooth.
But you should not worry too much. Because the good news is, the orthodontist is not going to leave you alone. After braces, he will make your teeth bright and white so that when you smile, others will enjoy your beautiful smile.
In this article, we are going to provide you with information about teeth whitening after removing braces and its components. Be sure to read this article to the end.
Why do teeth turn yellow despite braces and brackets?
Yellowing of teeth after removing braces is one of the common concerns among teenagers and adults who have used orthodontic treatment with this tool.
If you want to witness the whiteness of your teeth after treatment and straightening, you must first find and understand the causes of their yellowing. And you need to know that the brace itself and its components do not directly change the color and yellowness of your teeth.
The formation of dental plaque and tartar, having problems brushing teeth and eating certain foods all cause teeth to turn yellow. And it makes the need to whiten the teeth after braces necessary.
The role of plaque and tartar in the yellowing of teeth
Plaque is a sticky and colorless layer containing bacteria that forms on the teeth after eating and drinking. This plaque combines with sugars and creates acids that pull minerals from your teeth and destroy them.
Loss of tooth mineral can potentially lead to unsightly yellow stains on your teeth. The formation of dental plaque while wearing braces increases the risk of gum disease, periodontitis, and tooth decay.
Plaque can harden over time and turn into tartar. Tartar easily turns teeth yellow or brown. This hard layer can even harden newly formed plaque. Once tartar has formed, only an orthodontist can remove it.
How do braces affect your oral health?
Compliance with the basic principles of oral and dental hygiene is an important way to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar. People who use orthodontic braces should always:
- Wash your mouth
- and brush their teeth and
- Floss at least once a day.
Although the presence of brackets and wires can make it difficult to clean the teeth and brush the teeth, it dramatically makes a person accustomed to taking care of their oral hygiene more than before.
Proper brushing and flossing will remove food and drink residues on the surface of your teeth. This will allow you to remove or destroy the harmful bacteria that contribute to the formation of plaque from your mouth on a daily basis.
In addition to maintaining your own oral hygiene, professional brushing and flossing during orthodontic treatment will help remove plaque that causes yellowing teeth.
Special tools and techniques used by an orthodontist can clean parts of braces and teeth that cannot be cleaned by brushing properly and quickly. Ignoring the process of cleaning the teeth can lead to yellowing of the teeth after removing the braces.
What foods cause yellow teeth?
If you want a white smile, be sure to take care of your diet and lifestyle. Some foods and drinks can make your teeth yellow and eventually lead to discoloration.
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soft drinks
- Dark colored juices
- fruit ice cream
Sugary, acidic or starchy foods can accelerate the growth of bacteria and the process of tooth yellowing.
Teeth whitening before braces
Some people whiten their teeth before installing braces. But it is always recommended to whiten the teeth by an orthodontist after removing the braces.
Although teeth whitening before braces can be effective, it doesn’t really work. Because the teeth are disorganized and uncoordinated before entering the treatment process, and teeth whitening tools and materials may not be able to whiten all parts of the teeth.
Teeth whitening after braces
The yellowness of the teeth even after straightening them and after removing the brackets makes people feel uncomfortable about their smile. You have waited for months and endured various situations for your teeth to be straightened. What do you do with the current yellowness of your teeth? How to have an attractive and bright smile?
This is where professional teeth whitening comes in to help remove tooth stains and brighten them.
By moving your teeth and being in a new position, part of the teeth will always have a different color. Therefore, to brighten the smile and whiten the teeth, whitening must be done.
Wait 6 months to whiten your teeth
For two reasons, orthodontists often recommend that their clients wait about six months after removing braces before whitening their teeth.
These two reasons are:
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- and decreased salivation
Installing braces makes the teeth weak for a short time. Therefore, you have to wait for a while until this sensitivity is removed so that the teeth whitening process is easier and better.
In many cases, the saliva of people with braces will be accompanied by a slight decrease in the amount of saliva secretion. Lack of saliva accelerates the yellowing of teeth. But it is better to wait 6 months for the teeth to be ready to shine.
Teeth whitening should always be done by a good dental professional. Professional teeth whitening with professional tools and materials is not only more effective than home treatments, but also has high safety.
