Metal Mouth Message Board

I was curious if anyone out there still has pearly whites with braces. I tried to keep my teeth white, by constantly brushing, flossing and using mouth wash..and that didn't work. I even stayed away from coffee, soda, etc. My friend, who had braces before I did said keeping your teeth white with braces on is a lost cause. Does anyone out there have the same problem or any suggestions to get whiter teeth with braces on?

I've only had my braces on for 2 months and I've noticed a lot of staining this month. It seems that there is a yellow strip across my brackets and the only parts of my teeth that are still white are the tops by the gums, and the very bottoms of each tooth.

I usually bruch my teeth for 15 mins each shot, and I pay careful attention not to leave any food behind, yet my teeth still stain. What's the dilly?

I've been pretty lucky with being able to keep my teeth 'white'. Granted, they're definately not bright white, but I haven't noticed any staining since I got my braces. I don't drink tea, coffee, wine (I'm too young:) or any of those typical 'stainers' so maybe that has something to do with it as well. I do drink soda though, I'm just careful to brush extra well on the days that I do.

Here's the latest pic


I brush about 2-3 times a day and floss maybe twice a week, I'm not obsessive about brushing-I just don't have the time, but if I notice that my teeth are looking less than their best I pick it up a notch. I haven't noticed any stained areas or bands around the brackets.

Eve

Yes, I noticed that I had a bad stain running right under my archwires after the first 2 or 3 months of wearing braces. I was kind of horrified when I went to the hygienist to get my teeth cleaned the first time after having braces.

I had been brushing 4 or 5 times a day, but somehow was not getting under the archwire.

I then switched to a Sonicare...whoa...what a difference. No more staining under the archwire or practically anywhere else. My ortho always complimented me on how clean my teeth were. I would use my Sonicare while at home and a regular brush when at the office or gym, etc.

It is not just the stains. After my braces were put on I felt like my mouth was never clean enough.
I found solution that works for me. I brush my teeth as normal, then I have a good go with bicarbonate soda and after that some pearl drops polish. Feels much cleaner after that and no stains yet.

Anyone else notice that their breath is worse with braces than it was without?? Eventhough I'm brushing more, and drinking more water, my mouth never really tastes clean except for the first 10 minutes or so after I brush. I've noticed the wax stinks when I take it out as well! haha

Yeah, my TPA isn't helping matters. I don't find that stuff gets stuck under the TPA, but it's created grooves in my tongue for bacteria to sit. I've also noticed that the back of my tongue is nasty colours and has icky looking bumps on it somedays too. No idea what they are... I try to brush the ickyness away but it doesn't budge.

Hi,

after some months in braces, I experienced the same.
More stains, brushing A LOT did not help at all.
Then I tried Rembrandt toothpaste. The one with baking soda in it.
Wow, call this an instant success !!
No, it does not whiten actually, but removes all kinds of stains. I use it
once a day with a normal toothbrush or with an electric brush. But I also
put some on a little brush that has the form of a X-mas tree. To clean
under the archwire, and in my case also to clean under all those extra
elastics hooks. It does wonders !! The other times a day I clean, I use
'normal' toothpaste, I guess not wanting to overdo it. And no, I do not
work for Rembrandt ... just experience it does a great job, for me !

I'm like Eve, my sister actually told me that my teeth look whiter! I guess its all the extra brushing...or COLGATE!