Yellow teeth with braces are due to several reasons, including poor oral hygiene, consuming teeth-staining foods and smoking. With proper oral hygiene, regular cleanings, and guidance from your orthodontist, this can often be prevented or treated.
Causes Of Yellow Teeth With Braces
Several factors can contribute to the appearance of yellow teeth during orthodontic treatment.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Braces include brackets and wires that can easily trap food particles, making it more challenging to keep your teeth clean. Without proper oral hygiene, plaque can build up and lead to yellow teeth. Over time, this plaque can harden into calculus, which often takes on a yellow or brown tint. Once calculus has formed, professional cleaning is necessary to remove it.
Consuming Food That Stains Your Teeth
Certain foods and beverages, such as sugary sodas and chocolate, can gradually stain your teeth over time if consumed frequently.
Smoking and Other Tobacco Use
Smoking and chewing tobacco can heavily affect the appearance of your smile. In fact, studies have found that tooth discoloration is significantly more common among individuals who use tobacco.
Not Following Your Orthodontist’s Advice
Skipping dental cleanings or neglecting your orthodontist’s care instructions can result in plaque buildup and long-term staining. Regular visits to your orthodontist are essential for preventing yellow teeth and maintaining good oral health during your treatment.
How to Fix Yellow Teeth With Braces
For those seeking to answer the question “how to fix yellow teeth with braces”, we have put together a list of possible solutions that you can consider depending on your specific case.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Regular dental cleanings are an essential part of maintaining optimal oral health, especially while wearing braces. These cleanings target plaque and calculus in hard-to-reach areas. Professionals use special tools to gently remove stubborn deposits. While cleanings do not directly whiten teeth, they help restore a healthier appearance and can build a good foundation for future whitening treatments.
Whitening Treatments
Teeth whitening procedures are designed to fix discoloration and remove surface stains. However, whether this option is suitable depends on the specific case of each person. An evaluation is necessary to determine if whitening can be safely and effectively applied during your orthodontic treatment.
Additional Whitening Options
Patients should exercise caution when considering over-the-counter whitening products during braces treatment.
Whitening toothpastes, for example, can create uneven coloration by only affecting the visible areas of teeth around the brackets. Once braces are removed, the untreated areas may remain a different shade. At Skororthodontics we usually do not recommend using whitening toothpastes to our patients.
Whitening mouthwashes are available as well, but it is important to consult with an orthodontist before using them. Recommendations will vary based on the type of braces and the condition of the teeth.
How To Prevent Teeth From Turning Yellow With Braces
To prevent teeth from turning yellow with braces, you need to pay special attention to having proper hygiene, avoiding staining foods, and more.
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The following tips are provided by our team of professional orthodontists to help you maintain a healthy, bright smile throughout your treatment.
Brush After Every Meal
Brushing after every meal helps remove food particles and prevent the buildup of bacteria. It’s important to brush all surfaces of the teeth for at least two minutes. Braces can trap bacteria on wires, brackets, and pins, so brushing these components directly is also essential.
We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth and ensure effective cleaning.
Floss Regularly
Flossing becomes even more critical during orthodontic treatment, as food can accumulate in areas that brushing alone may not reach. We recommend flossing daily to maintain healthy gums throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Use Mouthwash
While it should not replace brushing or flossing, adding mouthwash to your daily routine provides extra protection. We recommend using a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
For more useful tips, visit our article on: Tips for Dental Care and Brushing with Braces.
2. Avoid Staining Foods
To reduce the risk of yellow teeth with braces, we recommend reducing the consumption of drinks known to stain teeth, as well as sticky and sugary foods. Here’s a short list:
- Tea (especially the basic black variety)
- Coffee
- Deeply colored sauces (like soy, tomato, and curry)
- Sports drinks
- Wine
- Blueberries, blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, and other vibrant fruits
- Soda, cola, and other carbonated drinks
- Candy and sweets (including chocolate!)
3. Avoid Smoking Or Chewing Tobacco
We strongly recommend avoiding all forms of tobacco to help maintain a healthy, bright smile during orthodontic treatment.
4. Regular Checkups
Attending regular checkups with your orthodontist is essential for preventing teeth from turning yellow with braces and maintaining good oral health. These visits allow professionals to monitor your progress, perform thorough cleanings, and address any early signs of plaque buildup or staining.
We recommend that you attend all scheduled appointments to ensure that any problems are detected and managed promptly throughout your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about stained teeth with braces.
Why Do Teeth Look More Yellow With Braces?
Teeth may appear more yellow during braces treatment due in part to the elastic components used to hold the wires in place. These elastics can become stained from foods and beverages, taking on a yellow tint over time. However, elastics are replaced every few weeks during regular appointments, so consistent orthodontic visits help manage this issue effectively.
Are Yellow Teeth With Braces Normal?
No, yellow teeth during braces treatment are not considered normal. Discoloration typically results from poor oral hygiene, consumption of staining foods or drinks, or other factors. It’s important to adjust daily habits and schedule a visit with your orthodontist for a professional evaluation and cleaning.
How to Whiten Yellow Teeth Using Home Remedies?
Although home remedies like whitening toothpastes or mouthwashes are commonly used, they are not a substitute for professional cleaning and whitening. In fact, we usually do not recommend using whitening toothpaste during orthodontic treatment, as it may lead to uneven results once braces are removed.
Consult with your orthodontist before getting a whitening treatment while wearing braces, as a professional evaluation is required to determine a proper whitening solution for you.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Yellow teeth with braces can be a common concern, but with the right care and guidance, it’s entirely manageable. Our team of experienced orthodontic specialists in Parma, Ohio, is here to provide the support and solutions needed for a healthy, confident smile throughout your orthodontic journey. To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or call us at 440-842-8015.
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About Dr. Andy Skorobatckyj
Dr. Andrew W. Skorobatckyj, or just Dr. Andy to his patients, is an experienced orthodontist serving the Parma, Ohio area. He earned his dental degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed his orthodontic training at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. When he’s not creating confident smiles, he teaches as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at Case Western and was even named Clinical Professor of the Year in 2023.
Over the years, he’s been recognized as one of Greater Cleveland’s “Top Dentists” by Cleveland Magazine.
