How to Avoid Staining Clear Braces
Clear braces are a wonderful option for patients who want the reliability of traditional braces, but in an aesthetically pleasing way. Today’s clear braces are made of high grade polycrystalline ceramic and do not stain easily. But, there are some steps you can take to ensure your clear braces, as well as the clear ligature ties, stay as fresh as possible. Dr. Michael Stosich offers the following tips to keep your clear braces clean and fresh throughout your orthodontic treatment.
- Brush, brush, brush! If you remember to brush your teeth after every meal, and rinse with water even after snacks, you can brush away debris that could remain. This will not only prevent your brackets from staining over time, but will keep your smile healthy, as well.
- Floss and use mouthwash. Flossing the hard to reach areas regularly, and using mouthwash, can remove stubborn debris that gets tucked away out of reach of a toothbrush.
- Just say no. If you are a smoker, it’s a good idea to quit anyway, but especially if you wear clear braces. The nicotine can cause your braces to yellow, the same as it can your teeth.
- Add a few more foods to your do not eat list. Braces already require you to avoid certain foods, and clear braces will add a few more to that list. Certain foods have a higher staining power, so avoid things like red wine, dark sodas, teas, and coffee. If you drink dark liquids, drink them through a straw to minimize their exposure to your teeth. Also, avoid foods that are red or yellow in color, like tomatoes, mustard, and curries, as these can immediately cause staining.
- Visit your orthodontist regularly. You’ll need follow-up appointments every several week to have your ligature ties replaced. This is important to ensure your braces are working properly, but also to keep them fresh. Your ligature ties will also be clear, so you’ll want them changed out regularly before they have the chance to get stained.
“Patients choose clear braces so they’ll be less noticeable while in orthodontic treatment,” says Dr. Stosich. “We want to help our patients have the experience they are hoping for, so we’ll walk them through all the dos and don’ts at their first appointment. But, following these tips can keep your clear braces as clean and fresh as possible.”
If you are interested in learning more about clear braces, call Stosich Consulting today at 847-548-4200.
