Traditional braces are made of stainless steel, making them resistant to staining. Ceramic braces are porous (have tiny holes), so they're more susceptible to stains. The small elastics (also called ligatures) that hold the wires to the brackets are also prone to staining.
With any variety of braces, it's vital to pay special attention to your dental care. Food can get stuck, or plaque can build up around the brackets, leading to decay.
Helpful tips when caring for your braces:
- Avoid difficult-to-clean foods like popcorn, gum, corn on the cob, whole apples, and overly sticky items.
- Skip foods and drinks that are high in pigmentation like red wine, tomato sauce, berries, or curry
- Use non-whitening toothpaste, so the area of the teeth behind your braces isn't a different colour after removal.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports to reduce the risk of damage to your braces and teeth
- Brush your teeth twice for two minutes daily and floss once daily
- Use a floss threader to clean difficult-to-reach areas.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco products.
If your elastics do get stained, don't worry too much. Your dentist or orthodontist can likely replace them.