Braces may seem like no big deal when you first get them, but if you want to maintain that fresh-out-of-the-box smile, you need to practice proper dental hygiene habits. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your braces from turning green. Follow these tips and tricks to ensure your braces color wheel stay their original color!
Floss and Brush Regularly
As gross as it is, food gets stuck in your braces. When you brush and floss regularly, you get rid of plaque and food that can change your cute braces colors. However, even if you are diligent about brushing and flossing twice a day, sometimes those pesky foods can still make their way under your bands or behind your brackets. Don’t worry—there’s an easy solution for keeping your braces color neutral: using oral rinse! Just follow these steps to keep those pearly whites from turning green!
Use Mouthwash
Using mouthwash at least twice a day will help minimize plaque buildup that can cause staining. When you’re done brushing, swish some mouthwash around in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out. If you have any leftover, swish it around again before spitting it out to get rid of any lingering germs. Although alcohol-free mouthwashes are preferred by dental professionals, look for ones that don’t contain artificial sweeteners or colors—both of which can stain your braces over time. All of Crest’s rinses are designed to keep your teeth as white as possible while you go about your daily business.
Bacteria, Germs and Health
Contrary to popular belief, bacteria and germs are not bad for you. In fact, they’re pretty essential. They help your body maintain homeostasis (balance) and they aid in healthy digestion—but that doesn’t mean you should just let them have free reign over your mouth! For example, if you eat food with a lot of sugar in it, too much acid can form on your teeth and in turn can lead to tooth decay. Remember to brush after meals or drink water with a straw to keep bacteria from forming inside your mouth. Additionally, try not to smoke as well; tobacco makes staining worse.
Yellow Braces
Yellowing is caused by tartar (also known as calculus) buildup. Some teeth, however, will naturally yellow over time due to aging. Yellow braces are not always a sign of poor oral hygiene; more often, it’s simply your body’s natural response to aging. To reduce staining, use a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth and brush gently after eating. If you have trouble removing stains, see your dentist immediately—he or she can give you advice on how to maintain healthy gums and protect your smile. It’s also possible that you just need a whitening treatment or additional bonding to get your smile back to its natural color again!
Blue, Teal or Purple Braces
If you have braces, you’ve probably heard that drinking water or rinsing with saltwater can keep your braces white. You may even have a friend who swears by it. But neither of these methods works. In fact, if you use saltwater to rinse your mouth after brushing (which can do more harm than good) or drink extra water just for your braces, you could end up with a few side effects: an increase in cavities and an upset stomach—all because of a myth about keeping braces white. The truth is that color change is almost unavoidable no matter what steps you take to prevent it.
Myths About Keeping Your Braces White
While it’s true that you can use whitening toothpaste to help keep them clean, there are some other common misconceptions out there when it comes to color protection. In fact, you might have even heard a few myths yourself about keeping your braces color wheel white! Let’s debunk a few of these popular ideas and find out what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to preventing those pesky stains from turning green.
