Metal Mouth Message Board

This is driving me nuts. I thought these things weren't supposed to stain? Within a few days of getting clear ceramics put on the top, the edges/outline of the four front brackets had turned a lovely brownish color. I had my first adjustment last week and the tech shined them up again with something and I vowed to myself that wouldn't happen again. Well a few days later and they are brown again and no amount of brushing will get this stain out. Why is this happening? I brush up to six times a day with an electric brush and am constantly rinsing with mouthwash or water. Can it be the 2 cups of coffee I have in the morning doing this? I brush right after having them. I'm not sure what the tech used to clean them but is there something I can buy to clean the edges of these brackets? Thanks in advance for any advice.

It's my understanding that the brackets, themselves, do not stain; it's the little rubber ligatures (Ligs, or, o-rings) that stain. Do you have brackets where you need the o-rings (non-SL), or do you have self-ligating (SL) brackets, which don't need them?

I have ceramic brackets with ligatures, and unfortunately, the ligs do stain a bit. That's just the price you pay. You could choose a darker color lig, but that does defeat the purpose if you don't want the braces to show.

I think brushing 6 times a day is a bit excessive. You can wear down your tooth enamel that way. I think once after every meal is fine; swishing with water in between. I drink dark soda every day, and my brackets have never, ever stained.

Cathy

I have Damon clear brackets on the top and I've found that there is discolouration around the actual brackets, so my guess on that one is that the glue has stained or the teeth have stained where the enamel was etched off to apply the glue. I haven't had my first appointment yet so I haven't asked my ortho, but my guess is that I'll have to live with it until they come off. It's not too bad, just more annoying. Maybe that's what has happened to you?

I have self ligating brackets and it's the actual bracket that is staining-----not the front surface of the bracket but the outer edges/outline. It's probably not noticeable to other people unless they're looking closely but it's making me neurotic!

Another thought...what brand of mouthwash are you using? I read on here that Crest Prohealth mouthwash discouloured some people's teeth an orange or brownish colour. Apparently the company doesn't deny it either, so maybe that's part of the problem? Just a thought.

I'm just using regular ol' mouthwash-- the store brand equivalent of Scope.

catgyrl wrote: I think brushing 6 times a day is a bit excessive. You can wear down your tooth enamel that way. I think once after every meal is fine; swishing with water in between. I drink dark soda every day, and my brackets have never, ever stained.

Cathy

I eat about 6 times a day so I usually brush that many times, although a couple of the brushings probably aren't very thorough.

I forgot to mention this problem to the tech when I went in for my adjustment and only thought about it when I saw how clean they were afterward.

Does anyone know if the more expensive "sonic" brushes come with different attachments that might be good for cleaning these brackets?

The Sonic brushes are great and just by using them you cut down on the plaque buildup you get between dentist visits. I was starting to get gum recession from using it so I stopped but for your brackets and ligatures it should be fine.

nifer237 wrote:The Sonic brushes are great and just by using them you cut down on the plaque buildup you get between dentist visits. I was starting to get gum recession from using it so I stopped but for your brackets and ligatures it should be fine.

Were you brushing too hard -- in regards to the gum recession? I wonder about that one as well, but my electric toothbrush tells you if you're brushing too hard and I've never got to that point. Although, I'm thinking I'm having more gum recession due to it too.