How To Have A White Smile After Braces

Since getting your braces, you have probably been daydreaming about the day when you finally get them off and can enjoy your brand new straight teeth. Braces help you to take steps toward having a smile you can be confident in sharing. Another important factor to consider is the shade of your teeth after your braces come off. Your diet and the oral hygiene habits you practice while wearing braces make a big impact on the quality of your smile after your braces come off. Here are three tips for ensuring you have a white smile after your braces come off.

Drink dark, sugary beverages through a straw.

A primary concern while wearing braces is discoloring your teeth while the parts of your teeth beneath the brackets remain a lighter color. Dark, sugary beverages such as soda and coffee are acidic and can erode the enamel of your teeth, making them much more vulnerable to staining. Instead of completely giving up these beverages, try to drink them only through a straw. As long as you avoid splashing the liquid against your teeth, you can enjoy the flavor of these drinks without putting your pearly whites at risk.

Supplement flossing with oral irrigation.

Bacteria in your mouth bonds with food residues left behind between your teeth and gums to create plaque. That is why flossing is so important. Flossing between the wires of your braces may seem difficult, but it is important that you do so regularly in order to combat your risk of cavities. If you are finding it hard to reach particular spots between your teeth and braces, you may also want to look at using oral irrigation. By using a water pick, you can direct a stream of water between your teeth and braces to help dislodge food that is stuck and hard to reach. 

Drink water after every meal and snack.

In a perfect world, you would be able to brush and floss after every meal and snack. However, you may find it difficult to find the time to do so. In order to reduce the food residues left behind on your teeth that can cause tooth discoloration, drink a big glass of water after every meal and snack. Not only does this help you stay hydrated, but it also helps to keep your mouth a little cleaner until you can brush and floss properly. Drinking water after eating is a healthy practice that helps to remove or at least reduce the amount of harmful sugars and acids from your teeth. 

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