Many people delay starting an orthodontic treatment or avoid getting it completely, despite its life-changing abilities, because they fear their teeth being multi-colored when they finish their treatment plan. Our team at Beam Orthodontics does not want people to not get the treatment they need because of this fear, so we’ve put together some of our favorite ways to prevent white spots!
No Whitening Products, Please!
Beam Orthodontics is all about helping you obtain the smile you’ve always wanted. We know that for some, that means whitening the teeth a bit. Unfortunately, we must discourage you from using whitening products during your active treatment phase.
Fixed Braces
The bond we use to attach the brackets to your teeth keeps you from removing the braces, which is why they are called “fixed braces.” This permanency means that if you try whitening products such as strips or toothpaste, the whitening agent will not be able to touch the entire surface of your teeth. While it might look good now, when your braces are removed, your teeth will be discolored, containing multiple shades of white.
Aligners
If you have clear aligners, your aligners can come off to use whitening products. However, you should ask Dr. Paxon before using anything with an active whitening ingredient. Your aligners are durable, but they could easily become damaged by leftover residue on the teeth.
Usually, these effects can be reversed, but the process can be time-consuming and expensive. It is best to wait until treatment has concluded before making this cosmetic adjustment.
Upkeep Proper Oral Hygiene!
To safely achieve pearly whites, you should maintain proper oral hygiene throughout treatment! By diligently brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, you effectively eliminate bacteria and plaque that have the potential to undermine the integrity of your enamel. By safeguarding the protective outer layer of your teeth, you not only deter the development of discoloration but also mitigate the risks of tooth decay and gum disease (which can also cause white spots through decalcification), promoting overall oral health.
Here are three things you can do to upgrade your oral hygiene routine and minimize the risk of white spots:
- Try Flouride.
- Flouride is a nature-made substance already found in your body! It even strengthens the enamel so well that the USA has added it to all tap water! However, some people still need a little extra fluoride. Fortunately, there are plenty of toothpaste and mouthwashes with fluoride to pick from! We strongly recommend speaking to Dr. Paxon or your dentist to learn if you need more fluoride in your routine. Adequate fluoride exposure will increase your resistance to decalcification and other white spots by reinforcing your enamel, but overexposure can have the opposite effect.
- Invest In A Water Flosser.
- Our team at Beam Orthodontics encourages everyone, whether orthodontic patients or not, to use a water flosser. The devices are great at removing bacteria and plaque in hard-to-reach places and safely cleaning the gumline so Beam orthodontic patients can benefit from a cleaner, healthier mouth that is not at risk of white spots! (Those with clear appliances can also reduce the potential of staining their bands or aligners when using a water flosser.)
- Use Interproximal Brushes.
- Interproximal or interdental brushes are small, radial brushes that can fit behind the wires of fixed braces and between your teeth, making them ideal tools for patients with fixed and removable braces. It’s perfect for on-the-go or at-home use to clean all the nooks and crannies of your mouth thoroughly.
Eat A Braces-Friendly Diet!
When you are a Beam Orthodontics patient, it is crucial that you follow a diet approved by Dr. Paxon. Not only will it help maintain the excellent condition or transparency of your orthodontic equipment, but it will also help to prevent white spots! Frequent consumption of acidic and sugary food can break down your enamel and lead to temporary or permanent white spots, among other issues. Food can also quickly get stuck in your braces and make them difficult to clean, increasing your chances of developing discoloration (see oral hygiene above).
Don’t Forget To Visit Your Dentist!
We know we might sound like a repetitive advertisement with how much we’ve stressed the importance of your oral health in this blog post. But we don’t care—that’s how essential it is to your overall well-being and preventing white spots! Regularly seeing your dentist is vital to maintaining the highest level of oral health possible.
You should see your dentist every six months (or more, if your dentist advises) for a checkup and cleaning before, during, and after orthodontic treatment. These sessions allow your oral healthcare team to remove bacteria and plaque that build up regardless of your at-home regimen and the chance to find and treat issues that can damage your teeth by creating white spots or other symptoms.
Beam Orthodontics Can Help You Create A Beaming Smile!
You deserve a gorgeous, functional, healthy smile, and we can help you get it! Beam Orthodontics proudly offers treatment for the whole family! Our various treatment options allow us to improve alignments ranging from mild to severe and give as many people in our community a reason to smile.
Contact our office and schedule an appointment to discover if you or your family qualifies for care! By this time next year, you could have a smile you’re thrilled to show off.
