Many people who get braces are annoyed to notice that after their braces come off, there are strange white spots left behind on their teeth. If you're about to get braces, you might be curious to know if that's something you're going to have to go through. The good news is, white spots aren't guaranteed to happen, especially if you know how to avoid them. Here's what you should do if you don't want white spots.
What White Spots Are
Most people think that the white spots left behind on teeth are due to braces or the adhesive used to keep your braces brackets attached to your teeth. The reality, however, is a bit different. When your brackets are put on your teeth, the area of the tooth that's under the bracket is completely sealed by the braces and their adhesive. No bacteria or plaque will develop on that part of the tooth while it's covered. But the same can't be said for the surrounding area.
Your brackets are likely to pick up food debris from eating. When that isn't cleared away in a timely manner and it happens daily, you can develop enamel loss and the start of tooth decay around the brackets. This won't necessarily develop into a full-fledged cavity, but it may leave you with marks on your teeth where enamel damage has occurred.
Before Braces
If you don't want white spots, your work should start before you ever get braces. Prior to having your braces put on, make sure that your teeth are healthy and clean. Visit your general dentist and get a thorough cleaning before you're scheduled to have your braces put on. This will ensure that nothing is already developing on the surface of your teeth and if any weakened enamel is discovered, your dentist can take steps to repair it and reinforce it to prevent damage while your braces are on.
During Braces
The most important thing you should be doing to avoid white spots, however, is keeping your mouth and braces clean while you have them on. This is actually a simple step. Keep brushing and flossing as regularly as your dentist recommends. Buy an interdental brush to use after your meals when you're away from home and can't brush. Focus on using it around the brackets and under your wires to clear away food debris and plaque. Furthermore, you can invest in something like a water flosser to help blast away excess plaque and bacteria, especially if you're having difficulty keeping your braces clean.
With these steps in hand, you shouldn't have white spots on your teeth after braces. Don't let your straightened new smile get marred by white spots. Take good care of your oral hygiene and visit your orthodontist regularly to ensure that your teeth remain healthy during your treatment.
Share25 October 2018
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.