Teeth Stains After Braces?

When you think of teeth stains, do you tend to first think of brown stains? From dark red wine to coffees or teas, it’s no surprise that many things can stain your teeth.

These stains are not usually the same ones our ortho patients deal with after removing their braces. The stains that often show up after braces are removed are referred to as white stains or white spots.

You may think that doesn’t sound too bad since the rest of your teeth are white. But unfortunately, these white spots are easily visible because they appear much whiter than your natural tooth. They commonly form around braces’ brackets, and their appearance is typically a square-like shape in the middle of your tooth.

The Development Of White Spots

White spots can form on your teeth as a result of demineralization. Demineralization is the process of minerals being lost from your tooth. Your teeth naturally demineralize and then remineralize again from the saliva in your mouth.

This becomes a problem when the demineralization process happens and its not remineralized again, leading to long-term effects, such as white spots or even decay on your teeth.

Are White Spots The Same As Cavities?

White spots sometimes form before a cavity develops, but not all cavities first show signs of a white spot. White areas indicate that the enamel layer has been demineralized. Sometimes white spots will stay white for years.

Perhaps the demineralization process started and then the tooth was remineralized so it hasn’t progressed into a full cavity. If you notice white areas around your braces, but the surface is still solid, be diligent about your home care.

The best thing that you can now do is to keep the bacteria under control and not allow it to do any more damage to your enamel.

Removing White Spots

White spots can make you feel self-conscious. The good news is that many options are available for eliminating them or reducing their appearance. One or a combination of these techniques can be used to treat white spots:

• Microabrasion: This is when our dentist removes a very thin layer of the enamel to help minimize the appearance of the white spots.
• Teeth whitening: This can be a great option because it whitens all your teeth. Ideally brightening up your teeth will help the white spots blend in better and not stand out so much. Plus, you get to enjoy a whiter smile overall!
• Dental veneer: While this is more of an investment, a dental veneer can be a great option because it is like a thin covering over the front of your tooth.

Avoiding White Spots

Preventing white spots from developing in the first place is ideal as opposed to trying to remove white spots that have developed. Prevention of white spots has to do with managing the bacteria that cause the white spots. This is best done through good home care. Good home care when in orthodontic treatment should include:

• Brushing at least twice a day
• Flossing at least once a day
• Using dental products with fluoride to help minimize cavity risk

Other things to consider while in orthodontic treatment:

• Eating a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Using an electric toothbrush
• Using a Waterpik to help clean around brackets and at the gum line
• Limiting sugar intake, including sugary drinks and sugary snacks

Do you have white spots that you wish you didn’t have? We know how disappointing it can be to get your braces removed and then notice that pesky white spots have formed on your teeth. The good news is that we can help!

Reach out to our dental team, and we can discuss what options might be best for you!