How to Whiten Teeth with Braces
Oral hygiene is an important routine for everyone, but it’s particularly important for those with braces. Not only do you want to keep your teeth clean, but most people also want to keep them looking their best. With all the DIY suggestions floating around the internet, we thought it’s important to talk about how to whiten teeth with braces.
The process is not impossible, but you do need to proceed with caution if you want to avoid damaging your braces. Here are some tips and tricks for how to whiten teeth with braces safely and effectively!
Best Tips for How to Whiten Teeth with Braces
Invisalign users can still follow the same whitening process they use without braces because they can temporarily remove their aligners. So, let’s talk about traditional braces that are attached to the teeth. Most commonly, orthodontic treatment involves the attachment of metal brackets to the front (or back) of your teeth. Here’s the best way to whiten your teeth if with a whitening process if you are using traditional braces for your orthodontic treatment.
- In-Office Bleaching– Also called chairside bleaching, in-office bleaching requires 1-2 office visits. If you’re adamant about having your teeth cleaned, this is a safe and effective way to get it done. Your orthodontist will use a strong bleaching agent to whiten your teeth around the brackets. In some cases, they might also use a special light to accelerate the effect.
It’s important to keep in mind that many patients will experience a two-tone effect. That’s because the part of their teeth that lies under the brackets will not be whitened during the process. Given this point, you might want to wait until your braces are removed to whiten your teeth. It is also a better option if you have braces on the back of your teeth since the backs of your teeth don’t go through the whitening process.
- At-Home Bleaching– This is similar to the treatment performed in an office setting. You can purchase a bleaching agent that comes in gel form and is placed in a tray that looks like a mouthguard. The products most commonly use peroxide to bleach the tooth enamel. Because of the placement of metal brackets, you’ll have to maneuver the tray so that it fits properly in your mouth.
It’s important to note that some patients experience sensitivity when using a bleaching agent of this strength on their own. As bleach leaks out of the tray, gum irritation may also occur.
Additional Options
Practicing great oral hygiene habits is a must with braces! So, brush and floss at least twice a day. There are also many whitening kinds of toothpaste available to help whiten your teeth with braces. These products remove surface stains with mild abrasives. While they don’t whiten your teeth to the extent that professional whitening does, they will remove surface stains to prevent your teeth from becoming discolored compared to their present condition.
Many products have additional benefits, such as enamel-strengthening fluoride. As the popularity of these products grew, a variety of different brands began to carry them. You can now find whitening toothpaste at nearly every grocery store or pharmacy in a variety of brands and products.
Keep your teeth white with braces is definitely achievable, although it will take some effort. Talk to your orthodontist about the variety of options you have and find a plan that fits right for you!