Completing orthodontic treatment is a joyous occasion for many patients. Having braces come off to reveal a straighter set of teeth can generate greater confidence in one’s appearance. While it’s natural to feel the need to smile everywhere you go now that your mouth is free of metal, you may notice that your teeth appear less vibrant. You want a brighter smile but how long will you need to wait to undergo teeth whitening? Find out from a cosmetic dentist when you should consider this type of treatment so that your straighter teeth can look their best.
What Causes Teeth to Become Dull During Orthodontic Treatment?
If you think about the system that is required for metal braces, the brackets and wires can make it difficult to thoroughly clean the front surfaces of your teeth. However, you can’t necessarily blame your orthodontic treatment for your yellowed smile. Instead, you can place the blame on plaque and tartar build-up, darkly pigmented foods and beverages, and inhibited brushing.
While wearing braces, tannins from the foods and drinks you consume can leave remnants on your teeth, resulting in stains and discoloration over time. Also, those that are high in sugar, acidic, or starchy can make it easier for harmful plaque and tartar to accumulate, leading to demineralization of your tooth enamel.
When is It Okay to Pursue Teeth Whitening?
Once your braces are off, you may immediately want to undergo teeth whitening treatment, but the reality is that you’ll need to wait. How long? About six months.
Why? There are two reasons: increased sensitivity and your saliva.
Your saliva is a powerful force that flushes out harmful bacteria and neutralizes acids. It can also remove surface stains that exist on tooth enamel if you give it enough time. However, if you’re unhappy with the kind of results your saliva achieves, there is the option of professional teeth whitening.
But before you start treatment, you’ll want to give your teeth time to overcome any initial sensitivity and weakness that can occur after wearing braces. Once they feel stronger and more resilient to hot and cold temperatures, you can talk to your cosmetic dentist about teeth whitening.
What Kind of Teeth Whitening Options Are Available?
There is always the option to whiten your teeth using over-the-counter products that are sold in local drugstores and supermarkets, but if you want a safer, reliable, and more effective solution, you can’t go wrong with professional teeth whitening.
Using high-grade whitening gel and customized trays, you can brighten your teeth at home using the instructions provided by your dentist. In two weeks, you can expect to see dramatically beautiful results.
The excitement of living life with a straighter smile is worth celebrating, but if you want your perfectly aligned pearly whites to shine brighter, don’t forget to give them a glow-up with teeth whitening.
About Grand Dental – Wilmington
At Grand Dental – Wilmington, a whiter smile doesn’t have to be out of reach. Even after completing orthodontic treatment, our cosmetic dentists are here to provide safe and effective treatment that will generate beautiful results so that your straighter smile looks and feels its best. Visit our website or call (815) 240-8822 to find out how we can help.