A concern many people have about orthodontic care is their teeth turning multiple colors by the completion of treatment. Since braces cover all or a large portion of the surface of your teeth, it’s a valid concern to have. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you that white spots are 100% guaranteed or 100% unlikely. The truth is that white spots are a potential consequence of having braces. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your risk of developing them. Below are the tips on how to prevent white spots from Howard Orthodontics!
Consistent Oral Hygiene Practices
As you have probably heard from your parents, guardians, or dentist all your life, maintaining a safe, effective, and consistent oral hygiene routine is the best way to ensure your teeth’s health. It is also one of the top ways to prevent white spots!
Brushing and flossing twice daily will remove bacteria and plaque from your braces, teeth, and gums that could erode your enamel. Weakened enamel leaves your teeth vulnerable to decalcification, an often permanent type of white spot, and tooth decay and gum disease, which can cause temporary and permanent discoloration.
To keep your mouth squeaky clean, and white spot-free, Dr. Howard recommends all his patients invest in a water flosser and interproximal brushes. These tools make it much easier to thoroughly clean plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums, reducing the possibility of teeth discoloration. Water flossers use water to rid the mouth of stubborn bacteria, plaque, and food particles. The water can clean all the hard-to-reach places of the mouth, making your routine faster, more effective, and less frustrating. Interproximal or interdental brushes are small, radial brushes that can fit behind the wires of fixed appliances and between your teeth. It’s a great tool on the go or at home to clean all the nooks and crannies of your mouth. Both water flossers and interproximal brushes are a fantastic addition to brushing and traditional thread flossing.
Follow Your Dietary Guidelines
We promise these rules are not meant to torture you; modifying your diet is crucial to maintain the excellent health of your braces and teeth to prevent white spots!
Whether you have fixed or removable braces, frequent acidic and sugary food consumption can break down your enamel and lead to white spots. If you have fixed braces, nonapproved foods can quickly get stuck in your braces and make them difficult to clean, increasing your chances of developing discoloration. Ask Dr. Howard for specifics on what you can and cannot eat.
Consider Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a natural substance found in your body that can help strengthen your enamel. Strong enamel can reduce your risk of white spots by protecting your teeth from threats that cause them! We suggest using mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste to increase your resistance to decalcification and white spots.
Don’t Consider Whitening Products
White teeth have been “all the rage” for a while, and social media’s growth and push for veneers has only prolonged the trend. We love shiny, white teeth at Howard Orthodontics. We completely understand why you would want them—they’re very pretty! However, we must stress the importance of waiting until your treatment has finished before using any whitening product or treatment because it can create white spots and discoloration!
Because your fixed braces cover a significant portion of your teeth with an airtight seal, the whitening agent won’t be able to touch the entire surface of your teeth. When your braces come off, your teeth will be at least two colors! Returning your teeth to all one color can be expensive, challenging, and time-consuming, so we suggest holding off on whitening treatments until Dr. Howard gives you the go-ahead.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Regular dental cleanings are essential to your oral health and smile appearance before, during, and after treatment! Attending these appointments as frequently as your dentist recommends allows your oral healthcare provider to find and treat issues before they can cause white spots or other, more severe damage to your teeth and gums. These professional teeth cleanings also remove bacteria and plaque that inevitably build up, regardless of your at-home regimen, and create white spots. Whether you have removable or fixed braces, you should still make it a habit to see your dentist.
Visit Howard Orthodontics For More Information About White Spot Prevention!
There are many causes and reasons for white spots, but the most effective way to prevent and remove them during orthodontic care is to visit Howard Orthodontics! Dr. Howard can give you personalized advice and recommendations based on your needs, treatment plan, and lifestyle, eliminating any white spot-related stress you may have felt. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Howard and his team, contact his Willow Street office today! New patients can schedule a free consultation to begin their orthodontic journey!