A good way to remember what color braces you should wear is the braces color wheel. The red and green colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel, so if you’re thinking about wearing green braces, try to find some red ones instead! When it comes to your dental health, it’s important to wear braces that complement your skin tone and look good with the rest of your smile, as well as your clothing. To learn more about choosing the right color for your needs, keep reading below!
Why braces can cause staining
Before, during and after treatment, your teeth are highly susceptible to staining. In fact, it’s common for teeth to become discolored or yellowed while you’re wearing braces. It’s not just because of food or drink; light blue braces can actually discolor your teeth even if you brush and floss regularly. During treatment, chemicals like bleach are used to whiten teeth as part of a proper cleaning regimen that keeps oral health at its best during orthodontic treatment. And during each dental visit, patients are encouraged to wear clear plastic retainers that essentially keep their smile in check until they can get a retainer from their orthodontist after their braces come off.
When to be concerned about discoloration
There are a number of different reasons your braces could be discolored, so it’s important to consult with your orthodontist before making any assumptions. According to Dr. Douglas Mears, an orthodontic specialist at The Center for Orthodontics and Dental Sleep Medicine in Orlando, the key indicator is not necessarily what color they [your braces] turn but if they become too dark compared to when you first got them. They should be that bright white or just a shade or two darker than your natural teeth. If you notice any changes in color, it’s best to get in touch with your dentist right away—especially if your braces appear unusually brown or black.
While there are some things you can do on your own to help keep your braces clean (brushing after every meal, flossing regularly), sometimes it’s difficult to prevent staining entirely. That said, here are some of the most common causes: Food – Foods like carrots, berries and tea can stain braces pretty quickly. It also helps to avoid chewing gum while wearing braces as sugar-free varieties tend to stick around longer than their sugary counterparts. Also avoid hard candies as these can scratch your braces easily. In addition, try not to eat directly off metal plates or cups since these can also leave behind stains.
The best way to prevent staining
Don’t leave food on your teeth. This may sound like a no-brainer, but according to Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center, it bears repeating. The most important thing you can do is not to have things in your mouth that stain, he says. That means don’t sip coffee (or anything else) through a straw and avoid foods with strong dyes and pigments like beets or berries—they tend to stain everything they touch. If you brush regularly, floss daily, and visit your dentist for cleanings twice a year, there’s less chance for staining to occur. And if staining does happen? It doesn’t mean you’re doomed forever: Your dental hygienist can remove surface stains during regular cleanings. For deeper ones, ask about an at-home bleaching kit or schedule an appointment with your dentist.
How often you should clean your braces
Braces present a daily challenge in terms of keeping teeth clean. Although brushing after every meal is not always possible, doing so multiple times per day can help prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Your dentist or orthodontist will have given you cleaning instructions that include whether you should use a toothbrush or interdental brushes to clean around braces, what types of toothpaste are safe to use, and how long you should brush your teeth for. If your braces are removable, it’s recommended that you take them out before eating certain foods like pizza and burritos (or anything else for that matter). Removable braces can also be taken out before bedtime to give your mouth a rest from having metal wire pressing against it all night.
The best way to deal with stains if they happen
All things being equal, white is a good color for braces color wheel. But if it’s not possible to wear white, there are some choices that are better than others. Reds and orangey-reds can appear quite bright (and somewhat clownish) when paired with bright yellow teeth. If you want to try an alternative color, opt for purple or blue instead. Colors in these hues will recede into your mouth and you’ll be less likely to draw attention away from your face—which is a good thing since that’s how you want people looking at you as often as possible!
It’s All About Prevention
When it comes to braces color wheel, a lot of people focus on other stuff—like getting clear aligners or thinking about what they’ll look like when they come off. But it’s just as important to think about. After all, if you don’t make an effort now to prevent overcrowding and misalignment, it could cause issues down the road. In fact, studies have shown that up to 40 percent of children with untreated orthodontic problems will require treatment again at some point in their adult life. It pays to take care of your teeth now so you don’t end up paying for cosmetic dentistry later on!