Baton Rouge Dentist

Will I Need Teeth Whitening for White Spots from Braces?

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Will I need teeth whitening sessions for white spots after wearing braces? I don’t have an orthodontist yet, but I will get braces this year. I am 28 years old, so it’s a little late for me, but now is the time that I can afford braces. Sometimes I think that the way my teeth look is holding me back from receiving job promotions. I have seen both teens and adults go through years of braces only to end up with straight teeth with white spots. How long will I need teeth whitening for braces? I want to plan and budget for it. Thanks. Gavin

Hi, Gavin,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Perry’s office in Baton Rouge. We understand your concerns about white spots on your teeth after braces. We will explain why they occur and whether teeth whitening will help.

Will Teeth Whitening Help White Spots from Braces?

Woman putting on teeth whitening trays
Teeth whitening may make white spots on teeth more noticeable. Consult with a cosmetic dentist.

Depending on how white spots on your teeth compare to your natural tooth color, teeth whitening can make the spots more noticeable. Although bleaching gel can whiten your natural teeth, the white spots on our braces are from the decalcification of your teeth. If you want your natural teeth whitened anyway, your dentist will create a treatment plan.

What Is the Treatment for White Spots After Braces?

Dental bonding is often the treatment for white spots after braces. Plaque buildup behind braces can leave discoloration on your teeth.

Consider the facts:

  • Plaque buildup robs teeth of calcium
  • Decalcification leaves white spots
  • Dental bonding can conceal the imperfections in your teeth.

How Can You Prevent White Spots After Braces?

You can prevent white spots on your teeth after braces with a routine of oral hygiene and professional dental cleaning from a hygienist.

Take these preventive measures:

  • Floss daily and brush twice daily.
  • Clean around the brackets to remove food debris.
  • Keep your dental appointments for exams and cleansings.
  • Avoid these foods, as recommended by the American Dental Association in an article on how braces can improve your oral health:
  • Hard candy
  • Ice
  • Nuts
  • Popcorn
  • Sticky foods, such as chewing gum or chewy candy

Best wishes, Gavin, for your orthodontic treatment.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible

Teeth whitening made white spots look worse

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Close-up smile, portraying teeth whitening vs bonding for white spots on teethI had braces for 18 months, and when my orthodontist took them off, I had white spots on several teeth. Whitening toothpaste didn’t help. So, at my last exam and cleaning, my dentist recommended Zoom. After Zoom treatment, my teeth are super white, but the white pots look brighter. My tooth color is uneven now and looks worse to me. My dentist said she would think of something else to try, but it scares me that she thought Zoom would work, but it did not. What are my options? Max from Virginia

Max,

Thank you for your question. Without advanced cosmetic dentistry training, a general dentist may not understand how to correct white spots on teeth and achieve even tooth color.

Will Teeth Whitening Improve White Spots?

Teeth whitening effectively removes stains embedded in teeth and makes your natural teeth whiter. But it usually makes white spots worse because it will not change the white areas but can make them more noticeable.

How Can You Treat White Spots on Teeth?

The treatment for white spots on teeth depends on their appearance and cause. If you have white spots after braces, decalcification around the brackets usually causes it. These factors cause decalcification:

  • Lack of oral hygiene around braces
  • Plaque buildup robs the teeth of calcium
  • Lack of calcium leaves white spots

Treatment options

Treatment options for white spots on teeth after races include remineralization, microabrasion, or dental bonding.

  • Remineralization – Fluoride treatments from your dentist and a calcium-rich diet may mineralize teeth over time. Also, remineralizing gels can help.
  • Microabrasion – During this process, a dentist will remove discolored tooth enamel and apply an abrasive substance to your teeth. Afterward, the dentist will clean, rinse, and polish your teeth.
  • Dental bonding – After removing the decalcified enamel, a cosmetic dentist can apply dental bonding to fill in spaces. Cosmetic dentists understand how to blend dental bonding to mimic the color and gloss of natural teeth.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist who has advanced cosmetic dentistry training to discuss your options. Your cosmetic dentist will ensure the bonding matches your newly whitened teeth.

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge family dentist, sponsors this post.