4 Tips to Avoid Staining While Wearing Your Braces in Newark, OH

You’ve had your braces for a little while now and are looking forward to showing off your best smile once they come off. The only problem is, you recently heard that your brackets can stain your teeth and affect your smile, and in turn, your self-confidence. After investing such a long time in this treatment, all you want is to finally have a worry-free grin. Your braces in Newark, OH don’t have to give you more to stress about if you implement these 4 tips to avoid a stained smile! 

Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene

Navigating in-between your teeth and braces to clean them may be difficult at times, but it’s important to take a few extra minutes to keep up with your oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth after every meal greatly reduces the buildup of plaque and tartar and can prevent discoloring once your braces come off. Not only will this improve the look of your smile, but it will also help prevent the development of cavities and other oral issues. Sometimes you won’t be able to get the nooks and crannies between the brackets and wires, so it’s a good idea to follow brushing with flossing and mouth rinse.

Oddly Enough, Avoid Whitening Toothpaste

As weird as it seems, whitening toothpaste can contribute to a discolored smile when you’re using it with your braces. This happens when every part of your teeth except for the piece underneath the bracket encounters the toothpaste. So, once your brackets come off, your teeth will be white except for the parts the brackets were covering! Sticking to regular toothpaste is your best option.

As Tempting As It Is, Don’t Miss Your Dental Appointments

Sometimes, life’s a balancing act and you have to prioritize appointments and events. Even though you may not put your orthodontic appointments at the top of that list, they are crucial to attend. Regular maintenance like changing out the rubber bands around your brackets can help prevent staining. Your 6-month checkups and cleanings with your general dentist are also vital in tackling tooth decay and discoloration.

Avoid Certain Foods

When your orthodontist gives you a list of foods and drinks to avoid, it’s imperative that you listen. Most of the foods and drinks on the list can cause damage to your braces and stain your teeth. Some common stain-causing foods include coffee, dark sodas, tomato-based sauces, and mustard. Pretty much any foods or drinks with coloring in them can stain both your brackets and your teeth.

No matter what the result is when you get your braces off, don’t worry. You may notice mild staining once they come off, but this is normal and should fade with time. Plus, after about 6 months, you can look into professional teeth whitening treatments. Ease your stress by taking small steps towards getting the stain-free straightened smile that you’ve been dreaming of.

About the Author

Dr. Timothy Wigal understands that each of his patient’s smiles affects their self-confidence, which is why he strives to make them dazzle. He is committed to maintaining and advancing his education by pursuing several times the required amount of continued education so he can provide his patients with the most up-to-date care. Get the treatment and expertise that you deserve at Wigal Orthodontics. To schedule an appointment or for any questions, visit his website or contact 740-397-2111.