Braces are a fantastic way to achieve a perfectly aligned smile, but they can make keeping your teeth white a bit of a challenge. The brackets and wires can sometimes lead to tooth stains, and factors like food, drinks, and brushing habits can cause yellow teeth. But don’t stress! With the right tips and products, you can maintain a sparkling smile while your braces do their magic.
In this guide, we’ll share the best ways to whiten your teeth with braces, from simple daily care to professional treatments, so you can smile confidently every step of the way. Let’s get started!
Whitening your teeth with different types of braces:
Here’s a quick summary to help you navigate the options of teeth whitening depending on the type of braces you have or are considering:
| Types of braces | Whitening strips | Whitening toothpaste | Electric toothbrush | Mouthwash | Whitening trays |
| Metal or ceramic braces | x | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | x |
| Invisible or lingual braces | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Before you decide which teeth whitening option is best for you, it’s important to understand the type of braces you have or are considering. The kind of braces you choose can affect your whitening options, so let’s break it down:
Clear aligners
Clear aligners, like Zenyum Invisible Braces, are a modern alternative to traditional braces. These aligners are made of clear plastic and are virtually invisible, and they offer the most flexibility when it comes to whitening:
No Brackets to Worry About: Since clear aligners don’t have brackets or wires, there’s no risk of staining from those elements. You can also remove the aligners for eating and drinking, which helps maintain your natural tooth color.
Flexible Whitening: Clear aligners allow for the most flexibility with whitening. Here’s a quick rundown of at-home whitening products you can use with aligners, but make sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions to keep the aligners in good condition:
- Whitening Strips: Easy to use, just place them over your teeth for a set amount of time.
- Whitening Toothpaste: Helps maintain brightness by removing surface stains daily.
- Whitening Gel/Serum: Apply directly to your teeth after removing your aligners for a more targeted approach.
Looking for a more potent option? Ask your orthodontist about professional whitening treatments. These can be tailored to work safely alongside your aligner treatment, offering more comprehensive results.
If you haven’t started wearing braces, do checkout Zenyum Invisible Braces, a comfortable teeth alignment solution that allows you to continue focusing on your existing/upcoming teeth whitening procedures without disruption!
Traditional metal braces
These are the most common type of braces, featuring metal brackets and wires.While traditional metal braces are effective and reliable, they can pose some challenges when it comes to whitening:
Bracket Issues: Metal brackets can trap food and plaque, which may cause staining around the brackets. Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent this.
Whitening Considerations: Whitening treatments might not reach the areas covered by the brackets, leading to uneven colour, and for aligner treatments, whitening is also not ideal as teeth can become more easily stained and may be more sensitive, so managing expectations is crucial. Patients might need to undergo polishing to remove stains first and address any sensitivity before considering whitening options.
Hence, whitening is best done after overall treatment is complete for a consistent result.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces work similarly to metal braces but use tooth-coloured or clear ceramic brackets. Ceramic braces blend in better with your teeth but come with their own considerations:
Stain Potential: While ceramic braces are less likely to stain than metal ones, the ligatures (small bands) may discolour over time. Choosing clear or less noticeable ligatures can help reduce this.
Easier Whitening: Whitening with ceramic braces has the same limitations as with metal braces, so you might still want to wait until after the braces are removed for a uniform whitening effect.
Whitening strips and braces
Technically, you can use whitening strips with braces, but there are a few important factors to keep in mind. Whitening strips are designed to be applied directly to the surface of your teeth. However, braces that utilise brackets and wires can obstruct the strips from making full contact with your teeth which may cause a colour mismatch between the parts of your teeth that were covered and the rest of your smile.
While technically possible, using whitening strips with traditional braces isn’t recommended because the brackets and wires can block the strips from reaching all areas of your teeth, leading to uneven whitening. Most people prefer to wait until after their braces are removed for a more uniform result.
However, if you’re using clear aligners like Zenyum’s Invisible Braces, the story is different. Clear aligners are removable, allowing you to use whitening strips more effectively. You can apply the strips, and once they’ve dissolved, you can put your aligners back on. This flexibility makes clear aligners a more convenient option for those who want to maintain a whiter smile during orthodontic treatment.
Recommendations for effective use of whitening strips
If you are using or considering whitening strips, here are some helpful tips for you:
- When selecting whitening strips, it’s crucial to pick a high-quality product that is effective and safe for your teeth. Look for whitening strips that are well-reviewed and known for their reliability. ZenyumBright™ Invisible Whitening Strips, for instance, are designed to deliver noticeable results while being gentle on your teeth, helping you achieve a brighter smile with ease.
- Always check with your dentist before starting any whitening treatment. They can offer personalised advice and ensure that the product you choose won’t interfere with your braces or overall oral health.
- Follow the instructions provided with the whitening strips to avoid overuse or potential damage to your teeth and gums.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial even when you use whitening strips. Brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup and ensure that the whitening strips work as effectively as possible.
Whitening toothpaste and braces
Yes, you can use whitening toothpaste even with braces! It helps tackle surface stains and keeps your smile looking bright. It’s great for reducing discoloration around your brackets and preventing new stains.
However, it mainly works on the surface and might not reach behind the brackets, so you could see some colour differences once your braces come off, and some products can be a bit harsh.
Recommendations for effective use of whitening toothpaste
For effective results, here are some tips when using whitening toothpaste:
- Be sure to follow the instructions on the toothpaste packaging — usually, brushing twice a day along with regular flossing is all you need. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial, so keep up with brushing, flossing, and consider using a mouthwash to reduce plaque and bacteria.
- Don’t forget to check with your orthodontist before starting any new oral care product. They can provide personalised advice to ensure the toothpaste won’t affect your braces or oral health.
- When choosing a whitening toothpaste for braces, it’s important to pick one that’s gentle and safe for your teeth. ZenyumFresh™ Toothpaste, for example, is designed to clean and brighten your smile while being easy on both your teeth and braces.
Professional teeth whitening with braces
You can whiten your teeth while wearing metal braces, but it’s challenging. Most dentists recommend waiting until your braces are removed for a full whitening treatment because the brackets can lead to uneven results.
If you’re eager to whiten during treatment, some dentists offer partial whitening on visible teeth surfaces, though this might cause uneven colour once the braces are off. Using milder methods like whitening toothpaste is possible but may still result in uneven whitening. After your braces are removed, professional whitening can be done more effectively for a consistent, bright smile.
Here are some things to consider if you still want to seek clinic teeth whitening options while wearing braces:
Benefits of professional teeth whitening
- Clinical treatments use stronger whitening agents than over-the-counter products, which can provide more noticeable and quicker results.
- The process is tailored to your needs, ensuring that the whitening is effective and safe, even with braces in place.
- Dentists can address discoloration and provide more comprehensive results once your braces are removed, especially since they can treat areas that are harder to reach with at-home products.
- Clear aligners like Zenyum can be easily removed and worn. This might give a certain level of flexibility when it comes to quick clinical whitening treatments. However, it is best to consult with your treating dentist to ensure your whitening procedures do not hamper your teeth alignment process.
The process of professional teeth whitening
Here is a quick overview on what to expect during a professional teeth whitening session:
- Initial Assessment: Your dentist starts by evaluating your teeth and discussing your whitening goals to create a personalised treatment plan.
- Teeth and Braces Cleaning: They thoroughly clean your braces and teeth, taking protective measures to ensure your gums are safe and that the whitening process won’t interfere with your braces.
- Whitening Application: A whitening gel is applied to your teeth, often enhanced with a light or laser, with the process typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes.
- Post-Treatment Care: After the treatment, your orthodontist provides tips on maintaining your bright smile, recommends additional products or treatments, and may schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
Wrapping Up Your Whitening Journey
Brightening your smile with braces might seem tricky, but don’t worry—it’s totally doable! By knowing how your braces affect whitening and following these simple tips, you’ll keep your teeth sparkling throughout your journey. With a bit of care and the right approach, you’ll be showing off your radiant smile in no time!
