May 25, 2023
If you’ve been wearing braces for several months or years, you probably spent much of your treatment counting down the days until you could watch your dentist take them off. Chances are you dreamt of the day when you could finally eat popcorn again or run your tongue over the smooth fronts of your teeth. However, one thing you may not have expected is your teeth to appear slightly discolored. Let’s talk about why this happens and how teeth whitening after braces in Mesa can help.
Why Teeth Become Discolored with Braces
When you look at your new smile in the mirror after getting your braces removed, you might notice that some parts of your teeth are lighter in color than others. Why? The brackets that were bonded to your teeth have shielded the underlying enamel from exposure to foods and drinks that stain teeth. As a result, your teeth may appear unevenly shaded.
How to Whiten Your Teeth After Braces
While your saliva will eventually even out the tones of your pearly whites, some people are impatient to brighten their teeth. After all, you just spent months or years straightening your smile, so you’ll naturally want it to look as beautiful as it can be. This is where teeth whitening treatment comes in.
You can find plenty of teeth whitening strips, gels, toothpastes, and mouthwashes in the dental section of your local pharmacy or grocery store. However, if you really want dazzling results that last, you should seek out professional teeth whitening from your dentist.
Your cosmetic dentist in Mesa uses potent products that can give you a significantly brighter smile in a shorter time span. They can give you custom-made trays designed to perfectly fit around your teeth, minimizing the risk of your gums becoming irritated by the bleaching gel. The gel itself is also much more powerful. Your dentist can even formulate it to reduce the chance of your teeth becoming sensitive afterward.
How Soon Can You Whiten Teeth After Getting Braces Off?
Right after you get your braces off, your teeth may feel a bit sensitive or weak for a while. Most dentists would recommend waiting at least six months after getting your braces removed to whiten your teeth. This should give your teeth ample time to recover their strength, ultimately making the whitening procedure more effective and comfortable. Keep in mind that your saliva will reduce the severity of the discoloration over time.
It can be tempting to purchase an over-the-counter teeth whitening solution immediately after your braces are removed. However, if you really want a smile that shines, invest in a professional whitening treatment from a dentist you trust.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Baker is a general and cosmetic dentist in Mesa, AZ with 40+ years of experience in the field. At Dental Innovations, he delivers high-quality, personalized treatments along with Dr. Brett Barlow. One of these treatments includes a custom-made, take-home teeth whitening kits that can help you achieve the results you want. To learn more about brightening your smile after braces, call his office at (480) 573-6468 or visit his website.