Getting braces is sort of a mixed bag. There's that hope at the end of the tunnel to a killer smile, yet a long and arduous process just to get there. Braces can be uncomfortable, and do quite a number on the self-esteem, even for the most secure of folks. No matter how much you hear about the whole process, you might still have questions about the actual care. And with so much emphasis being placed on teeth whitening, you have to wonder what's the best toothpaste to keep those pearly whites, well, white.
Identification
Ask almost any dentist or orthodontist and they'll tell you there is no such thing as a "best" whitening toothpaste for kids or adults with braces. Actually, whitening toothpastes are products you should altogether avoid until you're free of all your brackets and wires. You'll have plenty of time to work on the color of your teeth after you've perfected your smile. For now, just focus on the straightening of your incisors, canines and bicuspids.
Effects
If you use a whitening toothpaste while belted in braces, you run the potential risk of having the area underneath the bracket a lesser shade of white than the rest of your tooth. It works much like coffee, cola, tea, red wine and tobacco, simply with the opposite effect. Instead of discoloring or yellowing your teeth like these items could, a whitening toothpaste will lighten the areas exposed, while never touching or altering the section of the tooth protected by the braces. And just because you drink dark cola or smoke, don't think that the whitening agents in those toothpastes will counteract what you're putting your teeth through. Stop using them all.
Features
The kind of toothpaste you should be using while is any toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Your specific dentist or orthodontist will most likely have a certain toothpaste that she will prefer you to use, but it will probably be a brand that is fortified with fluoride.
Benefits
Any toothpaste with fluoride has been proven to reduce the potential of decay in your teeth, something not only important while wearing braces, but throughout your life. It's also wise to use a toothpaste that has some sort of antibacterial agent, since this will help reduce the build-up of plaque. Toothpaste that has been approved by the ADA has been tested in a clinical trial, so it will be appropriate to use while you have braces. Though most whitening toothpastes will be approved by the ADA, it should be reiterated that these are not recommended for people with braces.
Considerations
Once your braces have been removed, feel free to use a whitening toothpaste, unless, of course, your dentist or orthodontist has recommended some other type of toothpaste. Since everyone's teeth will respond differently to outside agents, your dentist will know the best brand for you and your smile.
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