Why Stains Happen During Orthodontic Treatment
If you’re in orthodontic treatment, or just starting to wrap it up, you might wonder why your teeth look discolored in the areas of your treatment. Teeth staining is something that can happen with braces, aligners, or retainers and can usually be prevented with a few small changes.
Are you in the New Haven/Shoreline area and have questions about teeth staining and orthodontics?
A free consultation with Dobie Revolution Orthodontics is always available.
Common Causes Across All Treatment Types
Stains usually show up during orthodontic treatment because having different appliances in your mouth make it harder to keep everything clean. Food gets stuck, plaque builds up, and if anything sits too long on your teeth, it can leave those stain marks behind. Staining can happen with any type of treatment if your routine slips even a little bit.
Here are some of the most common causes of staining across all orthodontic treatments:
- Not brushing or flossing well enough
- Drinking a lot of coffee, tea, soda, or red wine
- Smoking or using other tobacco products
- Not cleaning your braces, aligners, or retainers properly
- A dry mouth, which means less saliva to naturally clean your teeth
Spotting Issues Early - Are You Seeing Stains Now?
If you’ve started seeing white spots or yellowing around your brackets or under where your aligners sit, it’s best to take note and consult your orthodontist. These are likely early signs of staining, and the sooner you catch it the easier it is to correct.
Spotting the Early Signs Your Kid Will Need Braces
For parents, early detection of orthodontic issues in your child’s oral health makes all the difference. At dobie revolution orthodontics, we highlight some of the key signs that your child may need braces
Braces and Stain Prevention
Braces are great at their main job – straightening your teeth. However, the wires and brackets that get you to your beautiful smile tend to create a lot of space for food and plaque to hide. If you’re not staying on top of your dental hygiene routines, the stains can sneak up on you.
Why Braces Increase the Risk of Staining
If you have braces, it’s not just about brushing, it’s about brushing the right way. Making sure to get around every bracket and under every wire is super important. If plaque sits in those spots for too long, you’ll likely end up with white marks or dull areas once your braces are removed.
How to Keep Teeth Clean with Braces
- Brush after every meal, using a soft bristled tooth brush
- Use a floss threader or small brush to get between wires
- Use fluoride mouthwash if recommended by your orthodontist
- Keep going to regular dental cleanings while in orthodontic treatment
Foods to Avoid with Braces
To cut down on stains, and keep your braces in tact, it helps to avoid:
- Soda, coffee, tea, and any other dark-drinks that can stain your teeth
- Sticky or chewy foods that get stuck in braces
- Acidic things like lemons or vinegar-based sauces
- Anything super sugary if you aren't going to brush soon after consuming
Invisalign and Stain Prevention
Even though aligners like Invisalign are removable, you can still catch stains if you’re not careful. In fact, both your teeth and the trays themselves could get discolored!
How Stains Form with Clear Aligners
If you put your trays right back on your teeth after eating or drinking something sugary or dark-colored, you’re essentially trapping the sugar and coloring between the tray and your teeth. Over time, this can lead to staining.
Daily Care to Keep Trays Clear
Your daily habits don’t have to be perfect, just consistent.
- Always take your trays out when eating or drinking anything other than water.
- Brush and floss before putting your trays back on
- Clean your trays daily with mild soap and a soft tooth brush
- Don’t use scorching hot water, it can warp your trays
Retainers and Stain Prevention
Retainers help to keep everything in place once your treatment is over, but they can get dirty fast if you don’t clean them regularly. Clear retainers especially can get cloudy or yellow if you skip out on cleanings.
Risks of Staining After Treatment
Plaque and bacteria don’t stop once your braces or aligner treatment is done. If you’re taking a retainer in and out without cleaning it or brushing your teeth, that buildup can create stains and bad breath.
Cleaning Habits for Clear and Hawley Retainers
Here is what works for both clear and wire/acrylic retainers:
- Rinse them when you remove them
- Gently brush with a soft toothbrush, without toothpaste as it can be abrasive
- Soak in a cleaning solution 1-2 times per week
- Keep them in their case when not using (not in a napkin!)
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Post-Treatment Stain Removal Options
Unfortunately, stains can happen even when you’re trying your best to prevent them. If you have them after your orthodontic treatment, here’s what you can do:
- Your dentist can do a deep cleaning to remove surface stains
- Whitening toothpaste or strips can help (check with your dentist and orthodontist first)
- For the more stubborn stains, treatments like microabrasion or bonding are available.
The optimal solution for a fix all depends on how deep the stains are and what caused them.
When to Talk to Your Orthodontist
If you start seeing spots that weren’t there before, or your aligners or retainer are looking cloudy and hard to clean, it’s a good idea to consult with your orthodontist. They can let you know if it’s something to fix now or just keep an eye on. Either way, it’s always best practice to ask rather than guess!
Want help keeping your smile on track? Schedule a check-in with our team at dobie revolution orthodontics! We’re here to keep your treatment working and your teeth looking their best.
