Braces and Teeth Whitening

So you’ve been working on your perfect smile with your orthodontist and finally got those braces off. So happy for you! But wait- yellow teeth and uneven staining were lurking behind those brackets and now they are all you can see. What are your options? I’ll tell ya!

Wait 2-4 weeks after removal

When you first get your braces removed, there is going to a period of adjustment that can be really sensitive and uncomfortable. I don’t recommend getting your teeth whitened until this has worn off. While teeth whitening at PTF is generally fine for sensitive people, those experiencing an abnormal sensitivity already, or have a major dental experience such as braces removal, fillings, a harsh cleaning, root canal, etc. should always wait 2-4 weeks afterward or until that residual pain is gone. If you aren’t sure, consult your dentist. 

Be prepared for multiple sessions

The staining situation is so real. You can be really dark after braces and may have darker gumline staining and/or staining around the previous brackets. This means you may need multiple appointments to get back to normal. We can typically achieve an 8-10 shade jump in one appointment and space appointments out 6 months to be on the very safe side. It may take 2-3 appointments to get to a point where you are just maintaining your white and even smile every now and then. We can assess this at the first appointment!

Braces not off yet?

I get asked to whiten over braces that are not off yet, and I don’t do it for a few reasons. The first is that it will create uneven staining when your braces come off that can be hard to correct later. The other reason is that I don’t want to interfere with your dental work at all. Because we are not dentists, we can’t tell if you have an issue with your braces, and don’t want to risk putting peroxide over your brackets and weakening them. You invested a lot into your smile- wait until the right time.

This sounds great! Can my kid do it?

Yes! Only teens who are 16 and older, with a parent present and signing a waiver on behalf of their child are able to whiten. Whitening is great, and can be busy during summer break before the school year, so book in advance. 

Ready to book? Schedule here.