Discolouration after orthodontic treatment

Once the braces come off and you enter the retention phase of your treatment, you may be in for a bit of a shock. For some people, the condition of their tooth surfaces deteriorates while in braces, and their teeth may be aligned, but are discoloured or brittle after the braces come off. These problems are common and can be quickly reversed, but are worth talking about. Here are some of the kinds of discolorations that can occur while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

braces
Orthodontic braces


White spot lesions


The most common discolouration comes from having the brackets demineralize the teeth themselves. This will leave small white spots on the tooth surfaces right where the brackets were. These spots go away if you remineralize the area, and this can be done in two ways. One is to apply fluoride ointment or gel to the spots directly, as the enamel will incorporate it, and the other is to eat foods that are rich in calcium and magnesium and fluoride. This includes fish, beans, rice, dairy products and leafy greens.


Yellow discolouration


Yellowish discolouration is also not uncommon after orthodontic treatment. The best thing to do is to get plaque removal or tartar removal for your teeth, or to get a tooth whitening treatment. This discolouration is usually caused by difficulties in brushing with the appliance on, and once it is off, softly and gently brush the area, and you will see that it will become lighter. Going to a hygiene session right after the braces come off is a good idea, and this will take care of that nasty yellow hue as well.


Staining


Teeth that do not usually stain may find themselves more likely to become discoloured. This is because the staining material can stay on the braces and be in contact with the tooth enamel for much longer than without the appliance in place. Tea, coffee, smoking, red berries and red wine are all foods that have the potential to stain your teeth partially because of the high amount of tannins that are present in these items. If you have not refrained from these products during your orthodontic treatment, you may find brownish, yellowish or greyish stains on your teeth. These can be easily removed in a tooth whitening session

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