Do they whiten teeth after braces?

Many of our patients in London ask us the same question about whitening teeth after orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, throughout orthodontic treatment you can experience slight discoloration around the braces where you maybe haven’t been able to manoeuvre your toothbrush around every angle – we understand that it’s a bit of a tricky job. Our friendly dental team here at Whites Dental would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have with regard to orthodontic braces. We provide a full range of braces options such as Ceramic braces, Invisalign braces & Damon Fast Braces.

After months of eagerness and work to straighten your teeth with braces, you may come to find that your teeth are slightly discoloured around the areas where your brackets had been. It’s only natural for patients to want their new, straight teeth to be white and sparkling. Fortunately, understanding how teeth get yellow with braces can help you avoid experiencing this cosmetic concern. While getting yellow teeth during braces is actually preventable, if you find you’ve acquired any stains during your orthodontic treatment you can whiten your smile with a professional teeth whitening treatment.

Why do teeth get yellow with braces

Teeth staining after braces is a common worry among adolescent and adult braces patients. Caring for your braces is key to not only maintain your teeth straightening treatment but also for your general oral health. Braces themselves do not directly cause discoloration. Difficulty brushing, plaque and tartar, and eating certain foods all contribute to stained teeth, and the need for teeth whitening after braces.

Plaque and Tartar

Stained teeth are commonly caused by the accumulation of plaque in the gaps between the teeth. Plaque is a sticky, colourless film of bacteria that begins to form on teeth from eating and drinking. This plaque, combined with sugars, creates acids that leach minerals from your teeth—leading to white spots or discolouration. Left untreated, plaque hardens into tartar, which is even harder to remove and often stains teeth yellow or brown.

How braces affect your oral hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical during orthodontic treatment. Brackets and wires can make cleaning difficult, but brushing after meals, rinsing, and flossing twice daily helps reduce plaque build-up. If you’re struggling to keep things clean, a visit to your hygienist can help. A professional dental cleaning can remove debris from hard-to-reach areas between brackets and wires.

Foods That Cause Yellow Teeth

Certain foods and drinks are known to stain teeth—particularly coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and dark juices. Sugary or acidic foods can also accelerate the discolouration process by encouraging bacterial growth.

Teeth whitening after braces

If you’ve completed your orthodontic journey and are left with staining, teeth whitening can help. However, whitening should always be done after braces—not before. Whitening before braces can lead to uneven colour due to the way brackets block whitening agents, and teeth movement during treatment can expose previously hidden surfaces.

Most orthodontists in London recommend waiting around six months after your braces come off before starting whitening. This allows time for your teeth to recover from sensitivity and for saliva to naturally remineralise enamel. If discolouration remains, a professional whitening treatment supervised by a dental professional is the safest and most effective solution.

If you’re interested in getting orthodontic braces or want to learn more about teeth whitening options, book a free consultation with us today. Our experienced team is happy to guide you with honest, impartial advice.

Learn more about veneers, including composite, porcelain, and Lumineers, or explore our full orthodontic treatment options.