When it comes time to get your braces off, every patient anticipates a dazzling and beautiful smile underneath. While you can typically expect the alignment of your teeth to be what you envisioned, the color of your teeth may not be. Many patients are plagued with unsightly white spots after their brackets and bands are removed. While stained or yellowed teeth can often be corrected with teeth whitening, the white spots must be treated differently.
White spots can develop when the enamel (outer layer) of your tooth experiences demineralization. Therefore, they are very different than surface stains on the teeth. White spots can be reduced or eliminated by the following prevention steps before and during braces:
- Proper oral hygiene and diet
- Limited sugar intake
- More frequent cleanings with your dentist
- Chewing Xylitol gum
- Using a prescribed fluoride toothpaste
- Fluoride application at the dentist
What if you already have white spots on your teeth? If you have recently had your braces removed and can’t seem to enjoy that straight smile through the unsightly white spots, a trip to your dentist is recommended. Depending on the size and depth of the white spots, most dental offices are equipped to offer a few different in-office solutions, including:
- Fluoride remineralization
- Drill-less Infiltration Treatment
- Tooth-colored filling or bonding
The purpose of these white spot treatments is to restore healthy tooth structure to the areas of your enamel that have been demineralized and turned a whiter hue than the surrounding areas of the tooth. At Park South Dentistry, we are proud of our reputation to bring natural-looking and beautiful solutions to patients who need to “polish off” their orthodontic results. We can also help you avoid white spots if you are currently wearing braces by offering an additional cleaning. Patients in braces are more susceptible to discoloration, decay and gingivitis, so it is important to make sure that the cosmetic improvements within your smile don’t come at the sacrifice of your smile health.
