When it comes to taking care of oral health, most people have one of two goals in mind. You may want to whiten your teeth or straighten your teeth. What happens when you wish to do both at the same time?
Many of us are aware of the lifestyle changes necessitated by using braces or aligners, but how does this impact the use of tooth whitening products? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep your teeth white even if you currently have braces. Here are some effective ways to keep your pearly whites looking exactly that, without disturbing your treatment progress.
Never stop brushing
To attain or maintain white teeth, proper teeth cleaning habits are the best place to start, no matter what type of braces you have. Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time is considered brushing best practices, so if you’re not following that routine, you should probably start. However, if you have been brushing diligently every day and still notice discoloration, there are some ways to modify your oral cleaning routine to more effectively promote whitening.
Upgrading to an electric toothbrush can help remove target surface stains better than manual toothbrushes. But there are also chemical solutions that may help whiten your teeth. Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash are fairly common in any drug or grocery store, as are whitening gels. Whitening gels may be less effective for people with metal braces since they can only whiten the exposed parts of your teeth. Toothpastes and mouthwashes, by contrast, are more likely to get the areas around your metal brackets as well. Consult your orthodontist before adding or subtracting anything from your routine.
Work with your Orthodontist
Still not satisfied with at home whitening products? In that case, it may be time to visit the orthodontist. In addition to their expertise in things like how to fix off center midline teeth, crossbites and TMJ, your orthodontist can help you develop an oral care routine that fulfills all your dental health desires.
Not sure where to go? Orthodontist Dr. Mario Paz in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles has state-of-the art dental care in orthodontics, a highly trained and skilled staff, and is dedicated to making patients’ lives better.