Afraid Of White Spots From Braces? 3 Reasons They Are Now Easier To Prevent Than Ever

Posted on: 5 August 2015

If you want to have your teeth straightened and are deciding between your many options in braces today, then you may worry that traditional metal braces will leave you with white spots on your teeth after they are removed. These spots, which are caused by hypomineralization of teeth due to plaque build-up, have always been preventable with good oral hygiene when wearing braces. However, there are three additional reasons why those white spots are quickly becoming a thing of the past. 

1. New Bonding Agents to Adhere Braces to Teeth

Fluoride is considered the ultimate cavity-fighter, and it also helps prevent hypomineralization spots around braces' brackets, since these white spots have similar causes as cavities, including plaque build-up. There are many types of bonding agents used to adhere the brackets of braces to teeth, and some newer bonding agents contain time-released fluoride to help battle hypomineralization.

A study was performed comparing traditional composite resins used to bond brackets to teeth and a resin that contains fluoride. The study showed that brackets bonded with the fluoride-containing adhesive developed fewer white spots when brackets were taken off.

Ask your orthodontist to use a fluoride-containing resin to adhere your brackets to your teeth to ward off hypomineralization.

2. New Toothpaste Guidelines for Braces Wearers

The standard dental-care advice for people who wear braces has always involved using traditional fluoride toothpaste and just taking great care to clean around brackets and wires during every brushing.

Toothpastes with extra fluoride have been available by prescription for many years, but they weren't typically prescribed to braces wearers. Studies were performed that showed that toothpaste containing 4 times as much fluoride as typical fluoride toothpaste reduced white spots that developed by over 30 percent.

Orthodontists are taking this study into consideration with patients they feel may be prone to developing hypomineralization from braces and prescribing high-fluoride toothpaste when necessary.

3. Extra Treatments During Orthodontic Appointments

When wearing braces, you must visit an orthodontist (such as one from Crest Hill Family Dental) every 4 to 6 weeks to have your braces checked out and adjusted when necessary. During your checkup, your orthodontist can opt to apply a fluoride varnish around the brackets of your braces to further ward off white spot development.

This varnish is a potent form of fluoride and forms a film that delivers fluoride to the area it is applied until it is brushed off, so it is important to follow your orthodontist's instructions advising you to wait several hours after it is applied to brush your teeth.

If you are deciding which braces are best for you, then don't dismiss classic metal braces due to a fear of white spots when you have them taken off. With good oral hygiene habits and the help of one or more of the above options to help prevent hypomineralization, you can make sure your teeth are just as shiny and even-toned when your braces are taken off as they are now.  

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