You recently finished orthodontic treatment, and you are loving the look of your new smile. The excitement of a straighter smile is something you have always desired, but the sudden realization that your teeth appear uneven in color is something you did not expect. Is it possible to undergo teeth whitening after braces? To find out, read on to learn how long you should wait and what you can expect when attempting to achieve a brighter smile.
Why Do Teeth Appear Discolored After Wearing Braces?
The reason you might find that your teeth appear uneven in color after having your braces removed is that throughout treatment, a small area of your tooth remains covered by a bracket. This means that while the rest of the enamel is exposed to various foods, beverages, and particles, that small area is not. As a result, it can appear as if you have a small, white spot that looks much different than the rest of your tooth.
Apart from the bracket, though, your teeth, while wearing braces, sustain plaque and tartar accumulations, which can also lead to discoloration of the enamel. While saliva can help to neutralize acids and diminish an uneven color, it takes time.
Because your teeth experience staining and discoloration during orthodontic treatment, it is helpful to know there are solutions that are readily available to improve the color of your smile.
How Long Should I Wait After Wearing Braces to Have My Teeth Whitened?
Once you see the state of your smile after wearing braces, you may want to undergo teeth whitening as soon as possible. However, what you might not realize is that you need to wait because of the potential sensitivity you can experience immediately following the removal of your braces.
The average timeframe to wait is around six months. The reason is that your saliva can help to take care of some of the staining and discoloration; however, this is not always the case. If you see that your teeth still look uneven in color, you can talk to your cosmetic dentist about the potential for teeth whitening.
Whether you choose to whiten at home or in your dentist’s office, you can expect to see beautiful results that perfectly match your beautifully aligned smile. Once finished with the whitening treatment, it will be up to you to maintain the results with good oral hygiene and a healthy diet that minimizes your exposure to dark-colored foods and beverages. You will also want to quit smoking.
Stains do not have to be a permanent fixture on your newly aligned smile. Instead, you can rely on teeth whitening to improve the brightness of your teeth, giving you greater confidence for the future.
About the Author
Dr. John Ludu and his team at Devoted Family Dental are here to save smiles. When teeth are straightened using braces, many patients may notice unevenness in color after treatment. Fortunately, Dr. Ludu and our team are here to deliver whitening services to brighten realigned smiles and boost patient confidence. Contact us at (623) 444-6222 to learn how we can help you embrace a new and improved smile.