Teeth Whitening After Invisalign & Braces – How to Remove Stains

Do orthodontist whiten teeth after braces or Invisalign? It’s requested by the majority of those whose braces have been removed. Tooth whitening is not recommended within 1 month of removal of braces, as your teeth may still be sensitive. Give them some time to settle down and allow the sensitivity subside

A fresh feeling will come from the freedom but what color will the teeth be? Will they be yellow? What teeth, if any, will have spots from brackets and wires? You’ll want the world to see a healthy and dazzling smile. This can all be fixed by a hygienist and some DIY effort. In this post, we’ll answer the question – Can I use a teeth whitening kit after braces or Invisalign? Let’s get going. 

Can I Use Teeth Whitening With Braces?

Teeth whitening isn’t recommended during orthodontic treatment. So, The answer is NO. Teeth whitening with braces or Invisalign attachments will lead to darker squares on the teeth surfaces. The whitening product will not reach the covered parts. 

This is also important when considering the movement of teeth as the reduction in malocclusions and spacing mean new parts of teeth are visible throughout treatment. Looking for more opinions/ Check out these Quora and Reddit threads.

How to Avoid Staining During Treatment?

During treatment, keep a good regimen of oral health and floss the new gaps and gums that form. Avoid coffee, smoking, and tooth-damaging foods, you can also follow these toothpaste tips here. Lastly, water is vital for those undergoing braces treatment. Especially those using Invisalign as the lack of saliva on the teeth mean less natural defense. 

Can I Use a Teeth Whitening Kit After Braces or Invisalign?

An over-the-counter whitening kit will not be as good as a professional dentist. Orthodontist and dentists use stronger bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbide peroxide and have a good overview of use. This reduces any risk and misuse of the above products.

All is not lost if cannot see a professional. At-home whitening kits work well and are easy to use. Not to mention affordable and readily available. 

No matter what your sensitivity to toothpaste, don’t take the risk of whitening without talking to a professional first. Make sure you read all ingredients carefully and ask if there are any that shouldn’t be used by pregnant or nursing women before using them. 

If you want to make your teeth whiter, at-home kits are an affordable and effective way. The bleaching agents in these kits usually contain a higher concentration of peroxide that can be applied with custom trays or on its own (without any other preparation) for the perfect amount every time. 

We also found this study you may interested in reading into, the abstract can be found below:

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and complications of several bleaching methods in patients with discolored teeth after orthodontic treatment. This randomized clinical trial involved 60 volunteers (31 women, 29 men) aged 14 to 30 years, who finished fixed orthodontic therapy at least three months before the study commencement and complained of discoloration on upper front teeth. The subjects were divided into four groups by treatment. The patients in group 1 received home bleaching, whereas those in groups 2 to 4 underwent in-office bleaching using a diode laser, a plasma arc and no light source, respectively. Tooth color was measured at baseline, one hour after the end of the bleaching procedure, and one week later, and the color alteration between different stages was compared among the groups. The severity of tooth sensitivity and the occurrence of other post-treatment complications were recorded. The color change between baseline and one week after treatment was greatest in the home-bleaching and the laser-assisted bleaching groups, and lowest in the plasma-arc bleaching group, although the difference between the groups was not significant (p > 0.05). Tooth sensitivity over 24 hours after bleaching was lowest in subjects who had undergone laser-assisted bleaching and highest in those who had received in-office bleaching without light (p < 0.05). All methods were effective in managing tooth discoloration after orthodontic treatment. Home bleaching produced favorable color alteration. Amongst the in-office approaches, laser-assisted bleaching should be considered as the best option, as it produced effective results with lowest tooth sensitivity and over a shorter period of time.

Conclusion

The choice of teeth whitening after braces or Invisalign is important for those who have completed orthodontic treatment. Dr. Gluck and his team know how to guide you. 

Gluck Orthodontics is a trusted name in orthodontic care. Dr. Gluck is a board-certified orthodontic specialist (a distinction only one-quarter of all practicing orthodontists today can claim). He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Here at Gluck Orthodontics, we proudly provide our patients with the very latest in orthodontic care plus a little something extra from the friendly staff that we like to call ‘The Gluck Experience.’

Schedule your initial orthodontic consultation, call us at 615-269-5903. Or visit us online or in person.

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.