Whitening Teeth While Wearing Braces
Many people who wear dental braces might think that it is impossible to whiten their teeth due to the braces. Getting into the areas of the teeth that are covered by the braces is, however, not too difficult to do. All you need is the correct approach, coupled with a little bit of patience and perseverance. This article looks at a couple of ways of whitening teeth with braces and a quick look at how best to prevent the teeth from discoloring in the first place.
Use A Cone Shaped Brush
Whitening toothpastes are one of the best ways to whiten any teeth, not just teeth with braces. However, to properly clean teeth with braces, you should consider getting a cone shaped brush. This is used in addition to your regular brush and will help you to reach the awkward places. Most dental practices and pharmacies will sell cone shaped brushes. Use a small amount of the toothpaste on your regular brush and carefully brush the exposed teeth. Switch to the cone shaped brush for the areas around the wires and brackets. The tip of the cone will fit under these obstructions, allowing you to clean and whiten these parts. When finished, you should notice that the brackets of the braces are shiny and clean; this means that you have cleaned thoroughly.
Make Sure To Floss
This is the second step to do when whitening teeth with braces. It can be a little awkward, but take your time and have a little patience; the reward is worthwhile. You will need to cut a length of floss and carefully thread it underneath the wires of your braces. Floss in the usual manner and remove the bits of food caught in between the gaps of your teeth. Many people don't associate flossing with white teeth. However, the bits of food that can only be removed by flossing will rot down and discolor the tips and inside edges of the teeth. If you are having issues with threading the floss, you can purchase a floss threader from a pharmacy to help you. They are usually quite inexpensive.
Prevention
Try to get into the good habit of rinsing your mouth out with regular water after you eat. Although not practical in all situations, it can be done most of the time. Shops will have restrooms where you can go and rinse your mouth out if you have been snacking. Remember that excessive amounts of coffee and tea can cause discoloration of the teeth.
There is no reason why a person wearing braces can't have the same white teeth as people who do not wear dental braces.
For more information on whitening teeth and taking care of your braces, talk with a certified dentist, such as those at Pakington Dental Care.