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Should I get teeth whitening after braces?

Should I get teeth whitening after braces?

Often orthodontic patients decide to have their teeth whitened after their treatment is complete. Here, our Coquitlam orthodontists explain why.

Having had braces for months or years, orthodontic patients often find that the spots where their brackets were attached to their teeth are lighter in colour than the rest of their teeth.

The reason for these light spots is that food and drink cause teeth to become discoloured over time.

Over the period of time that you've been wearing your braces the small area covered by the brackets has been protected and sealed off from exposure of all the food and drink that you’ve consumed, but the other parts of your teeth have not.

As a result, many patients find that their teeth look splotchy and uneven after their orthodontic treatment is complete. The exposed areas of the teeth have not become unusually yellow or stained, rather, they appear to be so in contrast with the areas that have been protected.

This uneven appearance will diminish over time, but some patients prefer not to wait and decide to have their teeth whitened.

Teeth whitening helps remove stains on the surface of the teeth, and lightens the actual colour of the teeth as well, resulting in a more even, brighter smile.
