Do I Need to Worry About My Ceramic Braces Becoming Stained?

Are you currently wearing ceramic braces? If so, you likely chose them because of their discreet appearance. This attempt at subtlety can be beneficial if you’re self-conscious about your smile and want to avoid bringing attention to your orthodontic treatment. However, what you may not realize is that these braces can become stained if you’re not careful. Read on to find out how this happens and what you can do to prevent it.

What Causes Ceramic Braces to Stain?

When you think about the different components of your braces, you have the bracket, wire, and elastics. While the bracket and wire will not become discolored, the elastics that are used to hold the archwire in place can. As a result, your smile will appear yellow. This can happen because of dark-colored foods and beverages, like coffee and tea, fruits, sugary drinks, candy, and spicy foods. Smoking is also a common source of staining, as the nicotine and tar from cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products can make your braces more noticeable over time.

What Are Some Ways to Prevent Stains?

To keep your orthodontic treatment more discreet, you’ll need to make some adjustments to ensure that your braces remain clear and less visible to others. You can do this by:

• Practicing good oral hygiene. You’ll need to make sure that you’re brushing, flossing, and rinsing accordingly. Using mouthwash is a great way to eliminate stains. An alcohol-free product can help break up much of the discoloration as long as you use it two to three times each day.
• Giving up your smoking habit. Quitting the use of tobacco will give your braces (and overall health) the best chance of thriving.
• Limiting or avoiding dark-colored foods and beverages. Although you may enjoy some of the various fruits and drinks that are known to cause staining, you’ll need to decide if they’re worth risking your appearance.
• Use a straw if you want to consume a darkly pigmented drink. This keeps the liquid from touching your braces.

If maintaining a more discreet appearance while undergoing orthodontic treatment is the ultimate goal, stick to these helpful tips so that your smile (and braces) remains stain-free from beginning to end.

About the Author
Dr. Patricia Simon is an orthodontist in Dallas who earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. After finishing her Orthodontic Residency at Boston University, she completed a fellowship in Craniofacial and Dentofacial Abnormalities at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. With more than 25 years of experience in the field of orthodontics, she leads the team at Lakewood Orthodontics, PA. If you are interested in ceramic braces and want to embrace a more discreet form of treatment, visit our website or call (214) 826-9000.