How to whiten teeth with braces

When you have fixed braces, the brackets are attached to the surface of your teeth with dental adhesive. You can still whiten your teeth when you have braces, but keep in mind the areas under your brackets will stay their original shade as the whitening agent can’t penetrate through these areas. The most effective way of teeth whitening with braces is to use a gentle whitening toothpaste and mouthwash daily, along with an electric toothbrush. Most dentists recommend waiting until your braces are removed before starting a proper whitening treatment.

When you have braces, it can be difficult to brush around the brackets, and you may not be able to clean your teeth as well as you’d like. When your braces come off, you may be left with some discolouration on the surface of your teeth, and many people in this situation like to whiten their newly straightened smile to make it look its best! Wearing braces can cause a temporary weakness in your teeth, as there are areas on your enamel that fluoride toothpaste can’t penetrate. This can cause mineral loss, so it’s best to let your teeth strengthen and remineralise once your braces are removed and before you whiten. Use a fluoride toothpaste for 1-3 months after removal before you start your teeth whitening journey.

Teeth whitening is generally safe, with uneven results being the most common reason to avoid teeth whitening with braces. Here are some other reasons that braces and teeth whitening don’t always go hand in hand:

• The dental adhesive that holds your braces on can be porous. If you try teeth whitening with braces on, you may weaken the bond of the brackets and cause your braces to break. 

• Some teeth whitening products contain harsh chemicals that can soften your tooth enamel over time. If you’re wearing braces, your enamel is already under pressure from the brackets and wires, and whitening while wearing braces can cause enamel damage. 

• Teeth whitening with braces on may make it more likely for the whitening agent to come into contact with your gums. This can lead to sensitive teeth, gum irritation or even burns. 

So, you have braces and are thinking of whitening your teeth, but how does teeth whitening work with braces?. In-practice bleaching treatments and at-home treatments can work, but they have limitations. It may be best to use whitening toothpaste to remove stains for now and wait until your braces are removed before you go for a professional whitening treatment. Here are your options for teeth whitening with braces:

This involves applying a strong bleaching agent to your teeth, followed by a special light to accelerate the whitening process. This procedure is performed by your dental professional and takes one or two visits. You’ll see results fast; however, the bleach won’t whiten underneath your braces. So, when your braces are removed, you will see discolouration where they were.

This is similar to a professional treatment, but the bleaching agent is slightly less strong. You can purchase the whitening solution from your dentist for use at home. Your dentist will need to make you a custom tray to fit over your teeth, so it doesn’t move or hurt your braces. The problem with at-home bleaching is that even if you try to make your braces and tray fit together, you may run into problems. Many people have experienced sensitivity or gum irritation because the whitening gel has leaked out of the tray and into other areas. Additionally, you may experience increased sensitivity, especially when your teeth move or have wire changes.

If you have braces, whitening toothpaste may be the best solution as it can help to remove surface stains without bleaching. The best whitening toothpaste for braces contains fluoride but doesn’t contain hydrogen peroxide, which will alter the shade of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste won’t drastically change the colour of your teeth, so you won’t have any unpleasant surprises when it’s time for your braces to come off.

If you’ve been wondering how to keep teeth white with braces, you’ll be happy to know the best method is simply by practising a good oral hygiene routine every day. Make sure you have all the tools you need for an optimal routine. This includes:

•  A good electric toothbrush – an electric toothbrush can be more effective at removing plaque from around brackets when you wear braces. 

• A fluoride toothpaste – the best whitening toothpaste for braces will contain fluoride and gently remove surface stains without being abrasive. 

• Interdental brushes – when you wear braces, you won’t be able to use regular floss due to the wires. Interdental brushes, orthodontic flossers or a water flosser will help you to remove food particles and bacteria from between your teeth. 

• Fluoride mouthwash – keeping your mouth clean can be trickier when you wear braces. Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can give your teeth some extra protection and freshen your mouth between brushes.

We know that a bright, straight smile is your goal, and the first thing to consider is proper dental hygiene. It’s also useful to understand what to avoid, so here are some tips on how to prevent stained teeth while wearing braces:

• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss with interdental brushes or a water flosser once a day to prevent plaque buildup and surface stains.  

• Use a fluoride toothpaste that removes surface stains. 

• Avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain your teeth, this includes things like tea, coffee, red wine and curry sauce. 

• Drink water or rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating. This helps to remove residue from the surface of your teeth that can cause stains. 

• Use a straw when drinking anything that isn’t water to avoid liquids from coming into contact with your teeth. 

• Avoid smoking or using other tobacco products.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about braces and teeth whitening: