How to get white teeth with braces

Message

#1 Post by **Nume1278** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 3:41 pm

Hi everyone

I've had braces for a little over a week and I feel like my teeth are more yellow than before (could be my imagination). I was thinking that it could be primer or glue they used when attaching the brackets, not really sure. I’m still new to having braces however I brush and floss like I should. I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on what to do about having yellow teeth with braces and if there is anything I can do to lighten my teeth. I must tell you that I am a coffee drinker but I am willing to switch to tea if it would help aid in lighting my teeth.

Thank you

#2 Post by **catgyrl** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 3:54 pm

If you can figure it out... PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! My teeth were not very white to begin with, and stain very easily (avid soda drinker; no coffee or tea). I was told that braces can sometimes make teeth appear more yellow than they are because the light that shines through the tooth is diminished (especially if you have metal brackets).

I asked my ortho if I could use a toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide in it to help diminish the surface staining. He said it would be okay, since the ingredients in those types of toothpastes aren't high enough in concentration to actually penetrate the tooth (like whitestrips, gel, etc.) I can attest to the fact that he's right. I used that toothpaste at least twice a day for 3 months until I changed my metal brackets to ceramic, and after he removed the old ones, I got to rinse my mouth at the sink and took a good, long look at my teeth. There was absolutely NO difference in the are where the brackets covered vs. the surrounding area.

I don't think switching from coffee to tea will make much difference. Both stain just as bad, I think. I'm trying to drink "clear" sodas, but... I need my CAFFEINE!!

So, you may want to try one of those toothpastes. Other than that, I can't think of anything. I hope you get lots of responses here!!

-Cathy

#3 Post by **Nume1278** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 4:09 pm

Thank you so much for responding, I just feel really self conscious about my teeth now. I was looking in the mirror and noticed that they seemed more yellow lately.

I need my caffeine also, I wish there was a clear caffeinated drink we could consume, lol. I would be willing to give up coffee and soda if it would help. I read somewhere that if you stop drinking soda and coffee your teeth would turn back to its normal shade. Do you believe that? The assistant at the Othro’s office said that a lady asked to have light blue o rings (the really small rubber o ring, I think that’s the name) and it made her teeth appear whiter. I was thinking about trying it.

#4 Post by **blackapple** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:17 pm

Wanted to say it's not just you. I noticed the difference about a week after I had braces. I swear it's the glue. Reason being my teeth were cleaned the week prior before the braces went on and the hygienist remarked you have the whitest teeth. My teeth have always been pretty white anyway so I know there is no way in a weeks time they could have gotten dingy. I know one thing when they come off I am getting them whitened at my dentist office.

#5 Post by **itsabouttime22** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:43 pm

I know what you mean- unfortunately I think yellow teeth is just part of having braces. Everyone I know that has had braces had yellow looking teeth. I had really white teeth before braces and now they are awful. My plan is to enjoy my coffee and make an apt for teeth whitening when the braces come off!

#6 Post by **ScottR** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:21 am

Here we go... Do others think "clear" brackets sometimes make your teeth look yellow. I know some clear brackets are almost invisible but I think some tend to make your teeth look yellow. Metal brackets can make super white teeth look whiter but many times teeth look gray... IMHO.

#7 Post by **Nume1278** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:20 pm

Thanks everyone for replying. I understand now, its just the beauty of the beast =D

#8 Post by **VA5** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:23 pm

I too think it's the glue b/c I have this issue too. I look carefully at my brackets and it looks so yellow next to my braces. I fully plan on getting my teeth whitened after this is done. AAAGH, I am sooooo looking forward to getting these babies off!

#9 Post by **fluffybottom** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 9:14 am

In actuality, your teeth are not as yellow as you think they are. Because teeth are somewhat translucent, having glue and brackets on your teeth can affect how the color appears -- basically, it's an optical illusion. When I had my braces on, I thought my teeth looked hideously yellow and had all sorts of plans to bleach the hell out of them once I got them off. However, when I actually got them off? They were A LOT whiter than they had appeared while I was wearing braces. I still did some whitening but it was a lot less than I thought I would have to do.

#10 Post by **ashesgap** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 9:37 am

I just got my teeth cleaned and they look very white again. The best thing was getting the ligs and archwire out for the cleaning. My hygienist was very happy i did that, and she also did a power wash of water and baking soda. It was amazing how good my teeth looked. I'm sure in a month i'll think they look yellow again, but for now they're still looking good.