Yellowing of teeth.... and whitening whilst in braces....???

[GypsyCruiser]

Its been about a month for me since I've been braced. Had to get a wire shortened today and in the mirror.....horror! My teeth are so yellow. I have ceramic on top and metal on bottom. My teeth have never been yellow....ever. I am so upset.
I see my perio on Thursday and he is going to yell at me.....he always yells at me....but he is going to think I am not brushing properly....and I do....I brush three times a day and floss twice a day....sometimes more if I feel like something is stuck in my braces.
I don't know what to do....I feel uglywith yellow teeth.

[Fionisimma]

Its been about a month for me since I've been braced. Had to get a wire shortened today and in the mirror.....horror! My teeth are so yellow. I have ceramic on top and metal on bottom. My teeth have never been yellow....ever. I am so upset.
I see my perio on Thursday and he is going to yell at me.....he always yells at me....but he is going to think I am not brushing properly....and I do....I brush three times a day and floss twice a day....sometimes more if I feel like something is stuck in my braces.
I don't know what to do....I feel uglywith yellow teeth.

I'm with you, GypsyCruiser..... I'm going to ask my orthodontist about whether they used the sealant that Sailrgirl mentioned in a post.... also whether getting cleaning done every 3 months rather than usual 6 months may help....

[GypsyCruiser]

Its been about a month for me since I've been braced. Had to get a wire shortened today and in the mirror.....horror! My teeth are so yellow. I have ceramic on top and metal on bottom. My teeth have never been yellow....ever. I am so upset.
I see my perio on Thursday and he is going to yell at me.....he always yells at me....but he is going to think I am not brushing properly....and I do....I brush three times a day and floss twice a day....sometimes more if I feel like something is stuck in my braces.
I don't know what to do....I feel uglywith yellow teeth.

I'm with you, GypsyCruiser..... I'm going to ask my orthodontist about whether they used the sealant that Sailrgirl mentioned in a post.... also whether getting cleaning done every 3 months rather than usual 6 months may help....

Hmmmm...... good idea. I will check back on Thursday and let you know what my perio says.

[ScouseMan]

been worried about this same issue immediately after getting the braces how yellow-er the teeth looked.

[GypsyCruiser]

Well, I had a heck of day yesterday but I am okay now.

I asked about the staining and perio said its almost impossible to avoid it.....and not to worry about it.....but i do. I got my teeth cleaned and she got all the staining off. I am so happy about that. So apparently whatever was staining my teeth was not permanent and just needed a professional cleaning. I tried the baking soda with toothpaste but it did nothing.

Also went to ortho yesterday for an adjustment....was not planned but I figured I would try a new lig color. I went with a light blue ligature and my teeth look even better so i am thinking the lig color helps and also maybe the smoke color absorbs stains too....which is the color i had.

[Fionisimma]

Confirmed with my Orthodontist today that it is likely a combination of the etching/sealant used when I got my braces.....

The appearance of "yellowing" can also be exacerbated for some people (including me) by the use of fluoride.... Advised to stop use of Phos-Flur rinse or any mouthwash or toothpaste containing fluoride - instead use whitening toothpaste containing baking soda and get cleanings done every 4 months instead of the usual 6, including use of "prophy" paste polishing. Yellowing can also occur/increase for those of us in braces who swim regularly in heavily chlorinated pools for lengthy periods of time -

However, everyone's reaction to these chemicals is different... I was reassured (and encouraged) that the discoloration is not permanent - when my braces are finally removed in 18months or so and my teeth are buffed/polished, they will be smooth, shiny and straight........ Yeaaaaaah

[TMJJill]

My dentist is holistic and promotes fluoride free. He gives out Vita Myr toothpaste samples. It took some getting used to since it has lots of natural herbs and isn't 'sweet' tasting like most toothpastes, but I've really come to like it. Might be worth checking into if you want a different option.

[tomrsvee]

I had the same, ceramics on top and metal on the bottom, and also a big coffee drinker. I kept a cup of water next to my coffee cup, and swished with water a lot to keep the staining down. Also whitening rinse and whitening toothpaste. I thought it was the staining of the elastics that made my teeth look more yellow, when they were changed, my teeth always looked lighter.
Good luck!

[CharlieB]

Mine have been an awful yellow colour ever since I had my braces off as a teenager.
Blame myself entirely though!

[klcam]

My teeth seem much more yellow since my ceramic braces have been put on. My toothpaste has fluoride in it. Going to switch to a non-fluoride toothpaste with whitening.