A 37-year-old member asked:
why do i have discolored teeth with braces?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Arnold Malermananswered
Orthodontics 53 years experience
Oral hygiene: Braces do not discolor teeth. Discoloration next to the braces can be caused by foods that cause stains, such as coffee, tea, colas, mustard, saffron, tomato sauce, etc. That discoloration is a surface stain that can be cleaned off. If, however, you let bacteria collect next to the braces they can produce acids that will permanently scar the enamel of the teeth and may require fillings or caps.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ryan Tamburrinoanswered
Specializes in Orthodontics
You don't: When did you get them placed? Are you brushing and cleaning thoroughly? Are you eating a lot of foods (coffee, tea, wine, tomato sauce, etc) that can stain your teeth normally? The braces should not have anything to do with the appearance of the teeth.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. S. jay Bowmananswered
Orthodontics 36 years experience
Many reasons: There are so many possible reasons including stains from coffee, tea, smoking; medications like Peridex (chlorhexidine gluconate) rinse; or simply that the dark braces give a reflective cast of darkness to the tooth that is not a permanent change at all. More serious discoloration may be from poor hygiene as described by other doctors here.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 43-year-old member asked:
Discolored teeth after braces common?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Scott Welkeranswered
General Surgery 27 years experience
Yes. Baking soda: Is a gentle dentifrice that works very well, and you probably already have a box in your fridge! if that doesn't work, consider a professional cleaning and/or whitening.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Stanley Siu commented
Cosmetic Dentistry 17 years experience
Baking soda is abrasive in nature & chronic use of it can cause damage to teeth enamel. The enamel will wear off, making the teeth sensitive & vulnerable to cavities. Chronic use of baking soda can cause permanent damage to the teeth. Moreover, baking soda doesn't kill bacteria, so you'd should still use toothpaste afterwards. If you're telling patients to use baking soda, they should be instructed to not use baking soda more than twice a week, if at all. Using a ADA approved toothpaste that has baking soda incorporated into its formulation would be a far better option.
Jul 15, 2012
A 36-year-old member asked:
How to brush with braces and avoid discolored teeth?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Vasu Brownanswered
Integrative Medicine 34 years experience
Ortho phosphoric aci: Superphosphozyme by biotics will whiten teeth. Use a qtip with few drops use on teeth and rinse off using water with little baking soda to remove any acid (or just rinse thoroughly).
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Peter Karsant commented
Dentistry 39 years experience
I advise all of my orthodontic patients to set their timer for 5 minutes or use their favorite piece of music that is 5 minutes long and brush all the surfaces including under the braces and above the braces and lets not forget flossing. I would not use a bleaching agent until after the bands are removed.
Sep 12, 2012
A 40-year-old member asked:
What causes discolored teeth after braces?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Peter Karsantanswered
Dentistry 39 years experience
Many things: Poor home care during braces, decay from not cleaning well enough when the braces were on. Hopefully it is just surface stain that can be removed with a good cleaning and this assumes they were not discolored before the braces.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Jun 30, 2014
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