When orthodontic treatment ends, the teeth are well aligned; however, after the brackets are removed, colour differences may be noticed on the tooth surfaces. This leads many people to ask whether they can have their teeth whitened after treatment.
Causes of staining after braces
- Plaque build-up around brackets: In these hard-to-clean areas, the enamel can lose minerals and chalky white spots (white spot lesions) can form.
- Coloured foods and drinks: Drinks such as tea, coffee and cola cause surface staining.
- The area under the bracket: Because the bonded area was shielded from outside influences, it can look a different shade from its surroundings.
- Adhesive remnants: Residue not cleaned off after removal can create a colour difference.
The first step after brackets come off
During removal, adhesive residue is cleaned off and the tooth surfaces are polished. If there are white spots, some of them may fade over time with fluoride applications and good oral care.
When should whitening be done?
It is usually recommended to plan whitening a few weeks after the brackets are removed. This time lets the tooth surfaces and gums settle and shows how much the white spots fade on their own. The exact timing is decided at the examination.
Which methods are used?
- In-office whitening: Applied at the clinic with a higher-concentration gel.
- At-home whitening: Done at home with custom trays for the periods the dentist recommends. In some cases retainers can be used for this; ask your dentist first.
- Additional methods for white spots: For white spots that do not respond to whitening, methods such as resin infiltration may be considered.
For details of the methods, see our teeth whitening page.
Are there side effects?
The most common side effect is temporary tooth sensitivity, which usually passes within a few days. There may be brief irritation of the gums. Whitening carried out under a dentist's supervision does not wear away the enamel.
How long does it take?
In-office whitening is usually completed in a single session; with at-home whitening, results appear within a few weeks. How long the result lasts depends on habits such as diet and smoking.
For clear aligner wearers
Because there are no brackets in clear aligner treatment, this kind of staining is less common; however, the area under attachments may remain a different shade. For details, see our whitening during clear aligner treatment page.
