How to Keep Clear Braces from Staining

How to Keep Clear Braces from Staining

By admin May 5th
Clear orthodontic braces are a popular option among patients here at Elko Dental Specialists, as they provide an increased level of discretion over traditional braces. The clear material means that, besides the metal wires, these braces are almost completely invisible. Extra attention needs to be given to keeping these braces as clean as possible, however; as they are prone to staining if not maintained correctly. In an effort to help you stay as satisfied with your treatment as possible, we have compiled a list of a few tips to help you make sure both your clear appliances, as well as your teeth, as clean and pristine as possible.

Brush, Rinse and Floss Immediately After Eating

This is a recommendation your orthodontist will most likely give you regardless of which type of braces you have, but it is doubly important for patients with clear braces. Prolonged contact with food particles increases the intensity of stains, so removing as much food from your teeth as often as possible is your best option for keeping your invisible braces invisible. If at all possible, you should brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash even after smaller snacks, not just larger meals. It helps keep your teeth themselves cleaner and healthier as well and prevent tooth decay around and behind your brackets.

Add Extra Foods to Your Do Not Eat List

Beyond the usual foods to be avoided with braces, clear braces bring an extra layer of concern when it comes to keeping them clear and undamaged. Many foods which are totally fine with normal metal brackets should be avoided as much as possible by patients with the invisible alternative. Foods and drinks with this high intensity, almost instant staining power include:
- Tomatoes and tomato products like pastes, sauces, and ketchup.
- Yellow mustard
- Turmeric and curries
- Berries and pomegranates
- Beets
- Food with artificial dyes like popsicles, slushies, and colored candies
- Coffee
- Teas
- Red Wine
- Dark Sodas
- Soy Sauce
- Balsamic Vinegar
If you just can’t resist the urge to eat or drink any of these, make doubly sure to immediately brush, floss, and rinse after eating. Also, drinking coffee, tea, dark sodas or red wine through a straw can help to reduce contact with the brackets and prevent staining.

Avoid Smoking

Beyond the known health risks associated with smoking and the already existing staining power of nicotine smoke on your teeth, smoking can just as easily stain your clear braces a sickly yellow, and can be harder to clean than any food which may cause staining, even if you immediately brush after smoking. Just say no.

Avoid Whitening Toothpaste

This is a good bet whether you are a patient with clear or traditional braces. The whitening power of the toothpaste will keep the surfaces of your teeth and brackets white, however; once removed the tooth surface which was underneath brackets will more likely than not be a different shade than the rest of the tooth, leaving you with some unsightly imprints of where your brackets once were. Leave the whitening for after your treatment is complete and your appliances removed.

Visit your Orthodontist Frequently

As you should be visiting for follow up appointments regularly anyways, this step is not so hard to follow through with, but becomes extra important for clear braces for a different reason than the usual adjustments. With clear braces, clear elastic ligatures are generally used as opposed to colored ones. These clear ligatures stain more easily than the brackets themselves, so extra care should be taken with them in the first place. Changing them out regularly, however; is the only real way to ensure they stay perfectly clear. Make sure you visit your orthodontist regularly, and schedule extra appointments if necessary when those elastics begin to show.
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