It’s perfectly normal to have some cosmetic concerns about your smile. There are lots of solutions available, including teeth whitening. But what if you have braces or retainers and want whiter teeth? Today, Clauss Orthodontics will tell you why you should not bleach during your orthodontic treatment.
Wiser to Wait
There are a good number of reasons why our team and Dr. Clauss recommend you avoid teeth whitening treatments during your orthodontic treatment. Here are some of the main factors to consider:
1. Uneven Whitening: With traditional braces, brackets cover parts of your teeth, which will be a barrier to the whitening agent trying to reach those areas. Similar to tan lines, once the braces are removed, you may have noticeable color differences between the treated and untreated areas.
2. Tooth Sensitivity: Whitening products can increase tooth sensitivity, which may already be present due to the pressure and adjustments caused by your braces. This could lead to more discomfort.
3. Potential Gum Irritation: Orthodontic appliances can sometimes irritate gums and soft tissues on their own, and whitening agents may worsen this, causing further discomfort or sensitivity in your gums.
4. Weakened Enamel: Whitening agents can also weaken tooth enamel, even if only temporarily. Bleaching may compromise your enamel health and make teeth more prone to damage, which can be an issue since it’s so important to maintain your oral hygiene with braces or aligners.
5. Poor Results: Since orthodontic treatment is meant to shift your teeth, you might not achieve uniform results if whitening is performed. The final alignment of your teeth may also impact how effectively the whitening distributes after treatment.
6. Interference with Bonding: Whitening agents can cause problems with the adhesive used to secure brackets to your teeth. This may weaken the bond, resulting in issues with brackets or wires detaching.
Whitening with Retainers
Some patients at Clauss Orthodontics may think they’re in the clear once they’ve started using retainers—but not necessarily! Similar to clear aligners or braces, they can prove to be an obstruction for teeth whitening.
1. Retainers Can Block Whitening Gel: Retainers, especially clear ones, may block whitening gel from complete contact with your teeth, which leads to patchy or streaky results.
2. Potential Damage to Retainers: Whitening gels with strong bleaching agents can degrade the material of your retainers over time. This could cause discoloration, warping, or an overall weakening of the retainer’s structure, making it less effective at maintaining your teeth alignment.
3. Retainer Hygiene: Whitening treatments can leave unwanted residue on retainers, making it more difficult to clean them properly. This could lead to a buildup of bacteria, plaque, or even odors, all of which can be bad for your oral hygiene.
In the Meantime
So, what are some alternatives to whitening during active treatment? If you want to focus on whitening but need to avoid bleaching treatments, here are some ideas from Dr. Clauss:
1. Whitening Toothpaste: A whitening toothpaste is an easy, gentle way to maintain a brighter smile throughout your treatment. While it won’t completely transform your teeth, it’ll help remove surface stains and prevent discoloration when your braces are in place.
2. Regular Professional Cleanings: Staying on top of your dental cleanings can help keep your teeth looking bright. Plaque buildup and tartar can make your teeth appear dull, and regular cleanings will help maintain their natural shine.
3. Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: Cutting back on foods and beverages that stain teeth, such as coffee, red wine, and dark berries, can help maintain your smile brightness during orthodontic treatment. You can also rinse out your mouth or brush your teeth after consuming these to reduce staining.
4. Mouthwash with Whitening Properties: Mouthwashes that contain mild whitening agents can be an excellent supplement to your oral hygiene routine during treatment. While the effect will be quite gradual, it can help prevent further staining without jeopardizing your braces.
5. Baking Soda: Using a toothpaste containing baking soda, or adding a small amount of baking soda to your brushing routine, will gently remove surface stains. Baking soda is a very mild abrasive and brightens your teeth over time without the risks of stronger whitening treatments.
6. Focus on Oral Hygiene: Maybe above all else, striving to maintain excellent oral hygiene is one of the best ways to keep your smile looking healthy during
treatment. Brushing your teeth properly twice a day, flossing carefully around brackets, and using a fluoride mouthwash all work together to protect enamel and prevent discoloration.
Better and Brighter at Clauss Orthodontics
So yes, it’s generally wise to wait until you’ve completed your orthodontic treatment to get professional teeth whitening. Using more gentle whitening techniques and keeping your teeth extra clean can be an excellent replacement, though! We look forward to seeing you in Watertown or Middlebury soon.