Patients who wear braces sometimes want to have their teeth whitened before their braces are taken off. In this article, we will address the issues of safety and effectiveness involved with braces and teeth whitening.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Without Braces
The American Dental Association (ADA) has noted that all forms of teeth bleaching present a risk of temporary sensitivity to teeth and irritation of gums. However, both tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, if they occur, typically go away shortly after the conclusion of treatment, with no lingering effects except a whiter smile.
With Braces
Undergoing treatment to straighten your smile can cause your teeth and gums to feel more sensitive, so simultaneously whitening your teeth could exacerbate any existing irritation and sensitivity. Moreover, if you have metal or ceramic brackets, your braces can be damaged by whitening strips, whitening pens, and do-it-yourself concoctions like lemon juice and baking soda or hydrogen peroxide rinses. Any teeth whitening should be done under our supervision to protect the integrity of your braces.
Is It Effective?
Waiting for Better Results
For optimal results, it’s best to wait until after your braces treatment is complete to begin whitening your teeth, especially when wearing traditional braces. Bleaching agents will not completely reach the section of each tooth underneath the brackets so when your braces are removed you might notice an uneven color finish on the surface of your teeth.
Lingual Braces or Invisalign®
But what about when braces are on the back of the teeth? Or you are using Invisalign? In those cases, consult with our team to decide your best course of action. It might still be best to wait until your teeth move into their new positions, revealing the full surface of unwhitened portion.
Whitening Options
At Farmington Dental and Orthodontics, we offer two teeth-whitening options for when you are ready to brighten your smile.
In-Office Treatment
For those who desire immediate results, our ZOOM!® one-visit professional treatment can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in just one hour.
Custom Trays
Or we can provide you with custom-fitted bleach trays to use in the comfort of your home.
Consult with Our Expert Team!
If you wear braces and would like a whiter smiler, we urge you to set up a consultation with our Farmington Dental and Orthodontics team today. Every patient is unique, and only a professional examination can determine the best whitening option for you.