Getting braces at Saddle Creek Orthodontics is a fantastic step toward a straighter smile, but pesky white spots on your teeth can be a bit of a downer when your new smile is revealed. These white stains on teeth from braces often result from plaque buildup, which leads to decalcification and demineralization. This process weakens the enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to discoloration. No one wants to see spots when their braces come off! Understanding how to prevent stains while wearing braces is key to keeping your smile bright and healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Brush & Floss Regularly & Properly
Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and properly is super important when you have braces. Here are some tips to help you remove all the bacteria and plaque:
- Brush your teeth at least three times a day. (Yes, three times—morning, after lunch, and before bed!) Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle your brush at 45 degrees to reach those tricky spots around the brackets and wires. Spend at least two minutes brushing, making sure you’re gentle but thorough.
- Floss. Floss. Floss. Before brushing, don’t forget to floss with thread floss. Try floss threaders if you have difficulty getting the floss past the braces!
- Interdental brushes are a necessity. These tiny brushes, also known as interproximal brushes, are perfect for cleaning under wires and around braces brackets where a regular toothbrush can’t reach, reducing the risk of staining and decay.
- Invest in good oral hygiene tools. Electric toothbrushes are an excellent asset for avoiding white spots on teeth. Not only do they get a deeper clean than a regular brush, but many also come with timers, apps, and other features to help you improve your brushing technique. Water flossers are also fantastic for cleaning around braces. They use a pressurized stream of water to dislodge food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach places.
Stick to this routine, and you’ll be all set for a bright, stain-free smile when your braces come off. For more tips, don’t hesitate to ask us for personalized advice at your next appointment or contact your dentist!
If you need to get yourself or your kids hyped up about oral hygiene, try thinking of the routine as the unskippable cutscenes in a video game that are crucial for the experience or as the opening, closing, or running side duties you must complete every day.
Rinse With Mouthwash
Every morning and night, you should cap off your oral hygiene routine with a 30- to 60-second swish of mouthwash. Mouthwash kills bacteria and plaque in hard-to-reach areas your toothbrush and floss might miss, ensuring a thorough clean and minimizing the risk of white spots on teeth. This simple step can make a big difference in keeping your smile bright and healthy during orthodontic treatment.
Stay Hydrated
You know how Disney characters almost always have an animal companion that follows the main character everywhere they go? Your reusable water bottle should be the companion that follows your braces everywhere you go during your orthodontic journey! Staying hydrated is critical to keeping your mouth clean and healthy.
Water helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to white spots on teeth and bad breath. Plus, it keeps your mouth moist, which is crucial for gum health.
So, make it a habit to sip water throughout the day. Jazz up your water bottle with some stickers, or choose one with a fun design to make hydration more exciting. Let’s keep those teeth happy, hydrated, and monotone in color! Sip, sip, hooray!
Watch Your Diet
Keeping an eye on your diet is crucial for preventing white spots, especially while wearing braces. Foods and drinks high in sugar and acid can strip essential minerals from your teeth, leading to decalcification and discoloration.
Remove sugary snacks, sodas, and acidic foods from the grocery list to avoid these issues. Instead, munch on tooth-friendly options like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products that help strengthen your enamel. Making smart, braces-friendly food choices will keep your teeth strong and avoid those pesky white spots when it’s time to debond your braces. So, choose wisely and keep your teeth sparkling!
While it might take some discipline in the beginning, we promise you’ll have adjusted to your new diet before you can say, “Cheeeese!”
Avoid Smoking & Tobacco
Imagine having those beautiful braces on, working hard to straighten your teeth, only to reveal a stained smile at the end. No one wants that! If you want to keep your smile bright and your teeth healthy, it’s time to kick those habits to the curb. Smoking and using tobacco products can cause some serious staining and teeth discoloration, turning your pearly whites into dull yellows. Plus, they increase the risk of gum disease and other health issues.
Need some extra motivation? Think about the money you’ll save and the boost in confidence from having a radiant, tobacco-free smile. Your future self will thank you for making the healthy choice!
Bonus: Ditch The Whitening Products
Think whitening products will prevent discoloration on your teeth while you have braces? You’d be wrong! Whitening toothpaste and strips can cause uneven coloring because they only work on the exposed parts of your teeth. Once your braces come off, you’ll have noticeable color differences between the areas covered by brackets and the rest of your teeth. Not exactly the look you’re going for, right?
Instead, focus on maintaining excellent oral hygiene—brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash regularly. These habits will keep your teeth healthy and prevent stains naturally. Once your braces are off, you can explore whitening treatments to get that dazzling, even smile you’ve worked so hard for. So, ditch the whitening products for now and save them for after your braces debond. Trust us, your future smile will be worth the wait!
Fall In Love With Your Smile With Saddle Creek Orthodontics!
Taking care of your teeth while wearing braces might seem like a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it for that bright, stain-free smile. As long as you prioritize your oral hygiene routine, follow these tips, and see your dentist regularly, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll have no white spots on your teeth at the end of treatment.
At Saddle Creek Orthodontics in Collierville and Germantown, Tennessee, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We specialize in creating fun, family-friendly orthodontic experiences that make you feel right at home. Ready to get started on your journey to a perfect smile? Schedule your free consultation with us today, and let’s make your smile the best it can be!