What to do About Teeth Stains From Braces
Participating in braces is a great way to improve your smile and your oral health. Over the course of your orthodontic treatment, you may notice you have teeth stains from braces. Stains can be caused by a number of things that will discolor the teeth and make them appear yellow or brown.
In this article, we will break down why teeth stains with braces occur, how to avoid discolored teeth, and how to get rid of the stains in a quick and safe manner.
Table of Contents
Do You Have Teeth Stains From Braces?
Over 4 million people participate in braces each year in the United States. Do you find your teeth becoming discolored while having braces? Getting teeth stains from braces is common and can be frustrating to see. These stains can make your smile appear dull and discolored. The good thing is that teeth stains are 100% avoidable and can be removed.
How Teeth Change Color
Most adult teeth are actually yellow to grey hues, not the bright white we’re used to seeing. Teeth microscopically are porous, like sponges, and can collect stains easily if not taken care of. These stains get embedded in the superficial micro layers of the enamel leading the teeth to appear discolored.
How to Avoid Teeth Stains From Braces
Having braces is a great way to improve your smile and oral health. It is common for teeth stains with braces to occur which can lead to them appearing discolored and dull. There are several ways you can avoid teeth stains from braces while maintaining your oral hygiene.
Oral Hygiene
Having a strong oral hygiene routine is the best way to avoid teeth stains with braces. The brackets and wires involved with braces make it easier for food, plaque, and bacteria to build up on the teeth. The brackets and wires also create extra surfaces that need to be cleaned.
To maintain your oral hygiene and avoid teeth stains with braces:
- Brushing: It is very important to brush at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes. Using an electric toothbrush can help be more efficient at preventing stain buildup. Make sure you brush your teeth and around all edges of the bracket/wire.
- Check out our Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Braces article.
- Flossing: Stain can commonly build up where adjacent teeth meet. It’s also important to floss to remove the food, plaque, and bacteria from under the gums and between the teeth. Floss at least once a day.
- Flossing with traditional floss can be more challenging. Check out our Floss Alternatives article for more tools to use.
Mechanically removing the stains that collect on the teeth daily is the best way to prevent teeth stains with braces. When brushing and flossing, make sure you take your time to ensure you’re removing all food, plaque, and bacteria.
Foods & Beverages to Avoid
There are many stains in foods and beverages that cause discolored teeth and make them appear yellow or brown. Any colored foods can lead to teeth stains with braces. To help reduce the stains, try minimizing or avoiding the foods below.
- Berries, grapes, and beetroot – especially in juices
- Tomato based sauces
- Curries that contain turmeric and other vibrant seasonings
- Tea and Coffee
- Red wine
- Soy sauce
- Colored sports drinks and juices
Avoid Bad Habits
There are several lifestyle habits that can influence how much teeth stains from braces accumulates. Here are the 3 most common habits that cause staining:
- Drinking: How you drink beverages can impact how they stain the tooth’s surface. Minimizing exposure times can help cut back on staining. It’s better to drink beverages (other than water) in one sitting rather than sipping throughout the day
- Using a reusable straw can prevent staining beverages from slashing on the teeth and decrease teeth stains with braces.
- Smoking: Nicotine, tobacco, or any other type of smoke can quickly build up on the tooth’s surface. The stain buildup also adds a rougher surface for bacteria to cling to, increasing your risk of developing a cavity.
- Mouth Breathing: There are several new studies showing how detrimental mouth breathing is for your health. Breathing through the mouth decreases saliva which washes away food and beverages before they stain the teeth.
- Check out our article about mouth breathing and how you can fix the issue in our article Mouth Breather vs Nose Breather
How to Get Rid of Teeth Stains From Braces
After getting your braces removed, it’s common to have your teeth appear slightly yellow or stained due to the accumulation of plaque and food debris over time during treatment. It’s best to see your dental hygienist for a dental cleaning after the braces are removed.
Your dental hygienist will skillfully remove any hardened plaque (calculus), leftover bracket glue, and any stubborn stain. You will also receive cavity-checking x-rays to ensure your teeth are in good health before receiving teeth whitening after braces.
Our Teeth Whitening After Braces has more tips to help with teeth stains after braces.
Teeth Whitening After Braces
Going through orthodontic treatment is a commitment and takes work to keep your smile healthy. Teeth whitening after braces is a great way to reward yourself and boost the appearance of your smile. After seeing your dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning, there are several ways to brighten your smile.
- Teeth Whitening Strips: Starting with teeth whitening strips are a convenient way to brighten your smile. Check out our Teeth Whitening Strips article to learn more.
- Teeth Whitening Trays: Using teeth whitening trays can be a more targeted way to bleach your teeth. Your dentist can make custom whitening trays for you to maintain a bright smile.
- In-Chair Professional Whitening: This is the most advanced whitening treatment available to achieve a white smile. Your dentist will be able to get the brightest color your teeth will accept in the safest manner.
There are many different teeth whitening systems to brighten your smile and boost your confidence. Check out our Most Effective Teeth Whitening Systems article to learn more. Always consult your dentist to find what works best for your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do teeth stains from braces go away?
With good oral hygiene and a proper tooth cleaning by your dental hygienist, teeth stains from braces on the outer layer of your teeth will go away. If you would like to improve the internal coloring of your teeth, you may have to use a teeth whitening system. Consult your dentist to find what works best for you.
Can brown stains from braces be removed?
Brown stains from braces are usually built up on the outside layer of the teeth. This can be easily removed by your dental hygienist during a cleaning. Your dental hygienist will skillfully use their instruments and professional products to remove the brown stains.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
