What are the Best Teeth Whitening Options After Braces or Invisalign® Treatment?

What are the Best Teeth Whitening Options After Braces or Invisalign Treatment?

Are you preparing to get your braces off or wrap up your clear aligner treatment? Congratulations — you’re almost ready to see your brand-new smile, free from brackets, wires or plastic trays! And while the Foundations Orthodontics team is confident you’ll be thrilled with your results, you might be wondering how to make your teeth look their absolute best once the hardware comes off. Enter: teeth whitening. Teeth whitening after clear aligners or braces treatment is a fantastic way to improve the overall appearance of your teeth post-treatment and give your new smile an extra aesthetic boost. 

What is teeth whitening like after braces or clear aligners? Teeth whitening after orthodontics includes DIY products like whitening toothpastes or kits, and professional teeth whitening with a dentist. Whichever you choose, teeth whitening after braces or clear aligners results in a brighter, whiter smile quickly and easily. It’s a great way to complement your newly straight, strong, and beautiful teeth from Foundations Orthodontics.

In this post,we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about teeth whitening after your orthodontics are done. Here, Foundations Orthodontics will cover:

Should I Whiten My Teeth After Braces?

You already know that braces and clear aligners like 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners are incredibly effective at straightening your teeth and giving you a perfect smile. But unless you take proper care of your appliance and teeth throughout your treatment, you may experience some discoloration of your teeth. If this happens, it’s typically the result of poor oral hygiene, which is extra important when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

With braces, the brackets are bonded directly to your teeth, making it more difficult to effectively clear away food debris and plaque. This can lead to a build-up of acid-causing bacteria, which can ultimately cause discoloration and tooth staining after braces. The same thing can happen with clear aligners: if you forget to brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in, it allows plaque and bacteria to thrive and damage your teeth, leading to discolored teeth or cavities.

Now, we understand that even if you follow all the proper oral hygiene rules, discoloration can still happen. If you’re worried that your teeth are stained after braces or clear aligners, teeth whitening can help you get your pearly whites back.

How to Whiten Teeth After Orthodontic Treatment

If you’re considering whitening your teeth after clear aligners or braces, you have a few options, including at-home and in-office procedures. Professional treatments will provide the most dramatic results — free from the sensitivity that often comes with DIY systems — but it’s possible to achieve the results you’re looking for at home.

Before we discuss your options, let’s cover a few ground rules. The key to any teeth whitening is not to overdo it. The chemicals in teeth whitening systems can cause sensitivity or damage if you leave them on your teeth for too long. It’s also best to wait until your orthodontic treatment has concluded to begin any teeth whitening treatment to make sure you get even and beautiful results.

Here are some of the best ways to whiten your teeth after clear aligners like the 3M Clarity Aligners we offer at Foundations Orthodontics or braces:

  • Whitening toothpaste: All toothpastes are designed to remove stains from your teeth, but whitening toothpastes contain additional chemical ingredients to buff away deeper stains and give more noticeable results. These products do not contain bleach and can only brighten your teeth by about one shade.

  • Whitening strips: A popular choice for at-home teeth whitening, over-the-counter whitening strips use a peroxide-based gel to whiten your teeth. When used correctly, you may see results in as little as a few days, lasting up to four months.

  • Whitening trays: Tooth whitening trays can be purchased either over-the-counter or from your dentist. To use, you fill a clear aligner-like tray with a peroxide bleaching agent and wear it for a set period of time before removing and rinsing.

  • Professional teeth whitening: The most effective way to whiten your teeth is to opt for an in-office teeth whitening treatment. Professional treatments provide the benefit of a dentist’s oversight and use products that can lift years of discoloration without causing sensitivity. Depending on the severity of staining, professional services can make your teeth three to eight shades whiter!

Best Professional Teeth Whitening in Denver, CO

As orthodontists in Denver, we strongly believe that professional treatments are the right choice when it comes to whitening your teeth. Foundations Orthodontics is proud to partner with 5280 Teeth Whitening to offer the best professional teeth whitening in Denver. This award-winning clinic is the only company in Colorado that provides pain- and sensitivity-free teeth whitening. If you’ve been thinking about getting braces or 3M Clarity Aligners as an adult, or if you’ve been considering whitening your teeth after treatment, we recommend them to our orthodontic patients looking for teeth whitening after their orthodontics to boost their smile.

Ready to book withDr. Renee Moran or Dr. Caitlin White for an orthodontic consultation, or with 5280 Teeth Whitening to inquire about teeth whitening service after 3M Clarity Aligners or braces?Contact Foundations Orthodontics today and we’ll be happy to help at the most convenient location for you: Centennial, Denver, Granby, or Winter Park.

Renee Moran