Do orthodontic braces cause white spots on teeth? Wearing braces is a great way for you to straighten your teeth, but they don’t necessarily come without their problems. For one, you’ll be visiting your local orthodontist for awhile in order for the teeth to be straightened correctly. Once you have the braces taken off, you might be left with white spots on your teeth that can be unsightly and problematic.
People Also Ask
- Can you get rid of white spots from braces?
- Do braces leave stains on your teeth?
- Can white spots on teeth go away?
- Can white spots on teeth be reversed?
Importance of Orthodontics
Firstly, going to an orthodontist is important if you or your child has crooked teeth. Crooked teeth can be incredibly problematic for a lot of reasons. For one, you might find that you have less confidence because of the way your smile looks. You might also experience problems with speaking or eating due to severe misalignment issues. If this has been a problem for you in the past, it’s time for you to visit a local orthodontist and see what they can do for you.
Wearing Braces for a Long Time: What Happens?
Typically, you’ll be wearing orthodontic gear for anywhere from one to two years. The amount of time you wear the appliances is dependent on what you need and how much work needs to be done. Unfortunately, straightening the teeth is a relatively long and slow process. The reason for this is due to the fact that the teeth need to be straightened slowly so that they do not become loose. This is why it could take you years to see significant improvement and know that you will finally be able to get out of the appliances that you’ve been wearing for such a long time.
What are White Spots?
- When the metal appliances are finally taken off of your teeth, you might notice that they leave behind white spots from where they were cemented onto the teeth. One of the main concerns that patients have is getting rid of these white spots. Keep in mind that the white spots are a result of wearing orthodontic appliances for an extended period of time.
- During that time, your natural teeth became stained while everything under the appliance stayed the color that your teeth were before going to the orthodontic office. This is how white spots form and why you might notice them on your teeth after they are removed.
- Commonly known in the industry as WSL’s. White spot lesions.
Are They Permanent?
- Thankfully, these white spots are not permanent. They will become the same color as your other teeth after about a month or two of everyday wear and tear. You will also find that there are a few things you can do to improve the look of them right off the bat, which you might want to consider if the white spots really bother you.
- Lots of people who go to their local office are finding it to be beneficial to talk to the professionals about what they can do to get rid of these spots.
There’s is so much more…
How to Get Rid of White Spots
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Whitening gel or whitening strips on your teeth.
This will whiten the surrounding teeth so that they blend more with where the appliances were placed. These strips are relatively inexpensive and can fit easily into your budget. You will obviously want to talk to your orthodontic professional to see what they suggest in terms of getting your teeth looking their best.
Some orthodontic professionals will not recommend whitening products to their patients, especially if it’s a child or teenager who has just had their appliances removed. If you’re an adult, there is a good chance that the products will work well for you when worn after removal.
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Enamel microabrasion
A dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the teeth. Thuis reduces the appearance of the white spots. This treatment is typically followed by teeth bleaching, which can make the teeth appear more uniform in color.
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Topical fluoride
A dentist can apply topical fluoride to the teeth of people with enamel hypoplasia. This may encourage the development of enamel on the teeth and help prevent tooth decay. Speak to your proffesional about ways he or she may know of that isnt available elsewhere.
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Lasers
A new technique uses short bursts of laser light to inhibit demineralization, thus, prevent cavities from developing. This is all new.
How to Prevent White Spots
You can avoid treating white spots on teeth by preventing them in the first place. Below are some common methods to keep the spots at bay and enjoy wholesome teeth after you remove your braces.
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Use a Water Flosser
Using a water flosser like Waterpik helps remove the plaque and debris between teeth and below the gumline. It gets to the hard to reach areas better than with traditional brushing and flossing.
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Use an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush provides extra vibration which helps loosen plaque, making it easier to get your teeth clean.
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Traditional Cleaning
Be Crazy good at cleaning your teeth with a dedicated regime of brushing, flossing and poking away the nasties.
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Fluoride Suppliments
Fluoride Varnish can be reapplied throughout orthodontic treatment. A fluoride rinse to use after brushing that helps keep teeth strong.
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Food and Drink Intake Management
Reducing the consumption of acidic foods and drinks such as sweet candies and beverages like soda, sports drinks, and lemonade will mean less probelms overall for your oral health. These products increase the risk of developing decalcification or white marks if consumed on a regular basis.
Choosing a Better Orthodontic Option
- There are also alternatives to the chunky metal appliances you’re used to seeing all over. In fact, many people are choosing Invisalign because of its clear way of straightening the teeth. Invisalign uses clear plastic trays to carefully and effectively get rid of crookedness, allowing you to feel confident in your smile and the way that you look.
- Once you make the decision to go with this clear option, you’ll be glad that you did because you won’t be left with those annoying white spots. The clear trays straighten your teeth without being fully attached to them, so your teeth are essentially saved from these long-term effects.
There’s still more to come…
- Going to your local orthodontic office is a great way to boost your confidence and ensure that you’re feeling great about yourself. Too many people forgo orthodontic care because of the fact that they are afraid of wearing metal appliances for years on end. Instead, consider a clearer option that works just as well.
- It is imperative that you talk to your local office to see what is available for you. You will need to go in for a full consultation appointment before you can have any type of work done. Once you begin to get the work done, you’ll feel confident in your smile and the way that it looks.
Schedule Your Free Appointment
Dr. Samuel Papandreas provides expert orthodontic care for adults, teenagers and children at his facilities in:
- Brunswick, Ohio
- North Royalton, Ohio
His patients are fitted with customized orthodontic devices that include:
- Braces – color-matching ceramic or metal devices
- Retainers – worn at night when your braces are removed
- Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices
- Palatal expanders – worn before your orthodontic treatment begins
Accordingly, you can schedule an appointment with Papandreas Orthodontics to learn about the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and your children to improve your smile correct your dental bite.
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14200 Ridge Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
tel: 440-582-8585
Will I Get Many White Spots on Teeth? (From Braces)