Quick Answers
Yes, dentists can remove stains that accumulate on braces while they are being worn. There are several effective methods dentists use to remove braces stains and whiten teeth after braces are removed.
What causes stains on braces?
Braces can become stained due to a number of factors:
- Food and beverages – Coffee, tea, wine, soda, berries, tomato sauce and other foods/drinks with bold colors can stain brackets and bands.
- Poor oral hygiene – Not brushing and flossing properly allows plaque to build up, which can lead to stains.
- Smoking – Tobacco smoke clings to orthodontic appliances and causes yellow/brown stains.
- Medications – Some medications like tetracycline antibiotics can discolor teeth and brackets.
How can dentists remove stains while braces are still on?
Dentists have several in-office cleaning methods to remove stains from braces:
- Ultrasonic cleaning – Uses ultrasonic vibrations to loosen plaque and debris.
- Fluoride rinse – Swishing with fluoride rinse helps strengthen enamel and prevent stains.
- Pumice – Gentle abrasion with pumice powder cleans the surface of brackets.
- Baking soda – Mixing baking soda with water makes a mild abrasive paste.
- Hydrogen peroxide – Rinsing with diluted hydrogen peroxide can whiten stains.
- Micro-air abrasion – Blasts tiny particles to “sandblast” stains away.
How can dentists whiten teeth after removing braces?
Once braces come off, dentists have effective options for whitening discolored teeth:
- In-office bleaching – Using a higher concentrate of whitening gel and special light.
- Take-home trays – Custom-fit trays are filled with bleaching gel to wear at home.
- Over-the-counter whitening – Less concentrated whiteners like whitening strips or brush-on gels.
- Laser whitening – A laser light activates the bleaching agent on teeth.
Causes of Braces Staining
When you get braces, keeping your teeth sparkling white may seem like an impossible task. Those brackets, wires and rubber bands provide lots of places for stains to build up. A number of factors can cause your braces to get those dreaded yellow or brown stains:
Food and Beverages
Many foods and drinks we consume on a regular basis can stain teeth. Some of the big offenders include:
- Coffee – Popular as a morning pick-me-up, coffee is high in chromogens, which give it the brown color and stick to orthodontic brackets.
- Tea – Both black and green tea can seep into braces and discolor the glue and ligatures.
- Sodas – Colas and other dark-hued sodas contain phosphoric and citric acid, which erode enamel, letting stains sink in.
- Red wine – The deep pigments that give red wine its rich color can linger on brackets long after you take a sip.
- Berries – While healthy for you, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and other berries can stain bands and wires a reddish-purple hue.
- Tomato sauce – That marinara on your pasta can leave an orangey tinge on elastics and other removable parts.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not properly brushing and flossing your teeth while you have braces virtually guarantees you’ll get stains. When you don’t remove plaque it calcifies into tartar that collects around the brackets and under the wires. This thick, crusty deposit provides the perfect environment for stains to flourish.
Tobacco Use
Smoking or chewing tobacco causes the accumulation of thick, stubborn stains on teeth and orthodontic appliances. The tar and nicotine in tobacco smoke cling to brackets, bands and wires, leaving yellow or brown residue that’s difficult to remove.
Medications
Certain medications can have the unintended effect of staining teeth. This discoloration can also transfer to braces. Two types of medicines that frequently cause this issue are:
- Tetracycline antibiotics – Taken by children whose teeth are still developing, tetracycline can cause gray/brown banding or mottling.
- Antihistamines – Allergy medicines like Benadryl can tint teeth, elastics and other orthodontic parts.
Removing Braces Stains During Treatment
Getting those unsightly stains off your braces can seem like a monumental chore, but have no fear – your orthodontist has several effective methods to clean away discoloration while you’re still in treatment. Here are some of the most common in-office procedures for removing brace stains:
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to agitate water, creating tiny bubbles. This vibration dislodges plaque, food debris and stains from the nooks and crannies of your braces. Dentists dip a small brush into the ultrasonic water and use it to scrub your brackets and wires.
Fluoride Rinse
A fluoride mouth rinse like Listerine can help prevent new stains from forming on your braces. The fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to collecting colored plaque. Swishing vigorously for 60 seconds allows the rinse to get under wires and all around brackets.
Pumice Polish
A gentle abrasion with pumice powder is an effective way for dentists to scrub stains off of braces. Pumice is made from volcanic rock that has been pulverized into a fine powder. Combined with water, pumice makes a mildly abrasive paste that buffs the surface of brackets and bands.
Baking Soda
Mixing baking soda with water forms a simple home remedy dentists can use to lift stains from orthodontic appliances. The small granules of sodium bicarbonate serve as a gentle scrubbing agent. Baking soda also neutralizes acids that erode enamel and cause discoloration.
Hydrogen Peroxide
As a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can help whiten stains on dental braces. Dentists typically dilute hydrogen peroxide with water, and then have patients swish the solution around the mouth. The bubbling action helps lift stains from brackets, wires and elastic ties.
Micro-air Abrasion
Also known as an air-polishing system, micro-air abrasion removes stains by spraying a focused stream of tiny aluminum oxide particles onto the teeth and braces. Moving at high velocity, these particles “sandblast” away debris and discoloration.
| Method | How it Works |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic Cleaning | Vibrating water loosens plaque and stains |
| Fluoride Rinse | Strengthens enamel against collecting stains |
| Pumice Polish | Fine powder gently buffs the surface of braces |
| Baking Soda | Mild abrasive scrubs away discoloration |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Bleaches and lifts stains from braces |
| Micro-air Abrasion | “Sandblasts” braces with aluminum oxide particles |
Whitening After Braces
Once your braces finally come off, revealing your new beautiful smile, the last thing you want is for leftover stains to detract from your brightened teeth. While good oral hygiene and avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks can help prevent discoloration, your dentist also has effective whitening procedures to remove stains from your newly straightened teeth.
In-Office Bleaching
For significant staining or multiple shades of lightening, in-office bleaching performed by your dentist provides dramatic results. First, they protect your gums with a barrier gel or rubber shield. Then a strong concentration of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide whitening gel is applied to your teeth. Many dentists enhance the effect using a curing light or laser light to activate the bleaching agent. Results are immediately visible after a single 30-60 minute treatment.
Take-Home Whitening Trays
If you need more moderate whitening, custom-fitted plastic trays that go over your teeth are filled with a bleaching gel to wear at home for a set period of time. Your dentist first takes an impression of your teeth to create molds of the trays. You’ll wear the trays with whitening gel for 1-2 weeks or longer, depending on the level of discoloration. This gradual whitening method puts you in control of the process.
Over-the-Counter Whiteners
For mild stain removal, over-the-counter whiteners you can buy at pharmacies are an affordable option. These include whitening strips, brush-on whitening gels, toothpastes, rinses and chewing gums. While they contain lower concentrations of bleaching ingredients, consistent use can lighten teeth a couple shades. results happen gradually over weeks of use.
Laser Whitening
Dentists can use laser light to enhance certain whitening procedures. By using a specific blue light wavelength, the hydrogen peroxide gel is activated to increase its stain-removing abilities. Laser teeth whitening can make take-home trays more effective, and also light-activate stains during in-office bleaching.
| Whitening Method | Procedure |
|---|---|
| In-Office Bleaching | Strong peroxide gel applied in-office gives immediate results |
| Take-Home Trays | Custom trays with bleaching gel are worn 1-2 weeks |
| Over-the-Counter | Affordable strips, gels, toothpastes whiten gradually |
| Laser Whitening | Light activates bleaching gel for faster stain removal |
Preventing Stains on Braces
While braces can be magnets for unsightly stains, there are things you can do to prevent discoloration while wearing your orthodontic appliances:
- Brush after meals and before bedtime – Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day – Carefully floss between wires to remove plaque.
- Rinse with water after eating/drinking – Swish to wash away food particles and residue.
- Avoid stain-causing foods/drinks – Limit coffee, tea, soda, tobacco, berries and tomato sauce.
- Use alcohol-free mouthwash – Swish gently once or twice a day to prevent bacteria buildup.
- See your dentist regularly – Get professional cleanings every 6 months.
- Ask for stain removal – Have dentist clean braces with baking soda or pumice at adjustmet visits.
Conclusion
Although braces make teeth more prone to staining, there are many effective ways dentists can remove discoloration during and after orthodontic treatment. Using ultrasonic cleaners, fluoride rinses, pumice polishing and hydrogen peroxide, stains can be lightened while braces are still on. Once appliances are removed, various in-office and take-home whitening methods are available. Practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding foods/drinks that stain also helps keep your smile bright.
