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The Top 4 Ways to Avoid White Spots from Your Braces

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teenage girl with braces in Powell

The day one of our patients gets their braces removed is always special here at Shirck Orthodontics, and the last thing we want is for someone’s new smile to be less than perfect due to white spots, or areas of discoloration that can occur under the brackets. Fortunately, preventing this from happening is fairly simple, and your orthodontist in Powell reveals the 4 most effective methods below.

1. Brush Two Times a Day for 2 Minutes Each

While undergoing orthodontic treatment, maintaining a quality oral hygiene routine is extremely important for stopping cavities that could throw off someone’s timeline. Brushing in particular will prevent food debris and acids from remaining on the teeth and causing decalcification that can create white spots. Of course, brushing should always be paired with flossing as well!

2. Avoid Whitening Toothpaste

When a person uses a whitening toothpaste while wearing braces, the teeth are gently bleached…except the areas right below the brackets, which will end up being a different color by the end of treatment. It’s better to switch to a regular fluoridated toothpaste that doesn’t have any whitening properties.

3. Say “Hello!” to Mouthwash

Using a fluoridated mouthwash once per day can go a long way in making the enamel more resistant to decalcification/white spots, as it’s able to kill bacteria in areas a brush and floss can’t reach while also strengthening the teeth.

4. Reduce Sugar Intake

If you or your child have a sweet tooth, then you should rein it in while wearing braces in Powell. Regularly consuming foods and drinks that are high in sugar are known to cause decalcification/white spots on the teeth. This happens because the sugar leftover from these items feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, and this causes them to produce an acidic byproduct that breaks down the enamel. People can still enjoy their favorite treats with braces, but only occasionally, and a patient should rinse their mouth with water after consuming any candy, soda, ice cream, sports drinks, etc.

Following all of these tips will go a long way in keeping the teeth safe from white spots. With their help, when someone has their braces removed, they’ll have every reason to love what they see in the mirror!

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is a board-certified, award-winning orthodontist in Powell. A graduate of The Ohio State University, he and his team have helped countless children and adults achieve straighter, healthier smiles using personalized care and the latest techniques and technology. To schedule a FREE consultation to see which treatment would be a good fit for you or your child, click here.