At Nevada Dentistry & Braces, we know that a clean, white smile makes you look and feel attractive and confident. However, if you have braces or are considering having them put on, you might be wondering if you can continue to get your teeth whitened while wearing them. The answer depends on what type of braces you have and what your orthodontist recommends.
- Traditional Metal Braces
- Clear Braces
- Lingual Braces
- Invisalign
Why You Should Avoid Whitening With Traditional Braces
The metal and ceramic brackets attached to each tooth with traditional braces don’t work well with many whitening products. The brackets can be damaged by many products, such as whitening strips, pens, and rinses. Also, bleaching agents can’t get to the surface of your teeth that lie underneath the hardware, which means you might end up with mottled teeth once your braces come off. Finally, bleaching materials can increase your risk of sensitivity and gum irritation, especially if you attempt to do it yourself and the bleaching material leaks.
Can You Whiten With Clear Braces?
Clear braces are similar to metal braces in that they include brackets attached to the front of each tooth. Clear elastic ligatures and a white metal cross wire complete the package. Whitening with clear braces poses the same challenge as traditional braces in that you can’t reach the surface under the brackets, and the brackets risk damage from the whitening products. Therefore, you should avoid DIY teeth whitening solutions and talk to your orthodontist about your whitening options.
Whitening With Lingual Braces
Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are attached behind your teeth to not be visible from the front. In-office whitening treatments such as chairside bleaching can work well for people with lingual braces. Since some products can damage the hardware, it’s still better to avoid DIY solutions without checking with your orthodontist first.
Invisalign Is A Great Option That Doesn’t Interfere With Whitening
Invisalign aligners are a practically invisible, transparent, and removable alternative to traditional and lingual braces. Because you can put them on and take them off with ease, they make an excellent alternative for people who prefer to get regular teeth whitening while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Benefits Of Teeth Whitening
Whether you have Invisalign or lingual braces, decide to wait until your braces come off, or work with your orthodontist to whiten your teeth around your existing braces. Having your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist has many proven benefits:
- Quick & Easy Smile Improvement
- Increases Self Esteem
- Makes You More Attractive
- Enhances Social Opportunities
- Improves Oral Hygiene
- Safe & Effective
It’s Best To Stick With A Professional – With Or Without Braces
Although there is a myriad of products available over the counter, many of them are ineffective and can irritate your teeth and damage traditional braces and lingual braces. Even if you don’t have orthodontics, OTC products tend to be less effective than professional whitening. If your gums and cheek lining aren’t sensitive to it, it’s usually fine to use teeth whitening toothpaste – ask your orthodontist or cosmetic dentist for recommendations or sample products.
Affordable Braces & Teeth Whitening Services In Las Vegas
Do you have more questions about braces, Invisalign, teeth whitening, or other dentistry services? Our orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry team at Nevada Dentistry & Braces is here for you. We offer a full menu of dental services, including sedation dentistry for patients seeking a stress-free experience. Call today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to treating you.