Metal Mouth Message Board

I think I'm pretty well screwed, but I figured I might as well ask. Are there any ways to reduce the staining on clear ligs?

I brushed the hell out of my teeth and even used a solution of baking soda and toothpaste that some use to whiten, to reduce the staining. It didn't do too much.

Don't worry. The good news is they will get changed in a short amount of time! I found that if I drink my coffee with a straw and stay away from tea, cherries, curry, etc., I can do pretty well. I save all the stain foods for the week I have an adjustment. The tech also recommended the "silver" ligs and powerchain because they don't stain. I was skeptical but she was right. They are a tad shinier than the clear so you can notice them a little bit more in the beginning but not much at all and they really don't discolor between adjustments.

Oh, and I forgot to mention to stay away from green mouthwash. I haven't had issues with any other color other than the green.

I'm saving my curry night just before my first adjustment - looking forward to it.

It's a way of life. I am lucky in that I go to the ortho every 4 weeks so I never have to deal with staining for too long.

I just got mine changed a little over a week ago.

My wire is poking me a bit so maybe I can just go back and get them to clip it shorter, and while I'm at it ask for new ligs... it's very embarrassing having my braces look yellow, and I don't want to wait another 4 and a half weeks until they get changed.

Trying to avoid staining means I'm going to miss out on all the good foods!

SJB1138 wrote:I just got mine changed a little over a week ago.

My wire is poking me a bit so maybe I can just go back and get them to clip it shorter, and while I'm at it ask for new ligs... it's very embarrassing having my braces look yellow, and I don't want to wait another 4 and a half weeks until they get changed.

Yep. Gotta watch the tea/coffee/highly colored foods. I drink my coffee through a straw about the first 10 days or so after an adjustment. I don't drink tea at all since braced - stains pretty badly. I avoid colored foods the first 10-14 days...usually by then there's a tinge of staining anyway and then I just say forget it.

Like I go in today, at some point last week I ate Cheetos. They stain like crazy but ah well.

I've gotten the grey ligs on top before to avoid being concerned about staining and honestly, once you're accustomed to your braces, it's fine. You're not spending all your time wondering if they are "invisible" or not.

I just had an adjustment today and was SO happy to get rid of my ugly yellow (clear) power chains.

I don't have any power chains on for the next few weeks, but I did ask about them. The lady changing my wires said that the silver/light grey chains don't stain. I'll definitely go with those the next time!

That's what I got this time Woobster. Barely noticeable and I don't have to worry about staining.

I've got big meetings at the end of the month and would rather the slightly noticeable grey than a very noticeably stained yellow!

Be careful with mustard: I always get either silver or smoke on top, and the mustard still stains those colors. Every other food I've had does not stain them.

I drink tea through a straw and eat cheetos right before my adjustment also.

My tip is to get grey or silver ligatures every time.

Definitely gonna change it up next visit.

Is it weird to get a wire cut before your next adjustment, or is this done? I'm thinking I'll get that taken care of and while I'm at it change to some less-staining ligs.

I love my braces, I'm totally used to wearing them and I enjoy watching my teeth change direction and so on as well... but I ain't lovin' dem stains. The braces don't affect my confidence, but the stains do... I'm slightly afraid to smile. lol

Totally not weird to have a wire cut in between if it's poking your gums. If you have small wire cutters and a brave partner, you can also do it yourself. My husband cut my bottoms last week for me because I didn't have time to get back to the office. I got a new hefty wire and it was cutting me up pretty good. I held the flashlight and my cheek wide open and he just snipped after sterilizing the wire cutters. No prob. Certainly better to have your tech do it though. They have emergency appointments for stuff like that and will usually squeeze you in.