Why do white spots appear on teeth after braces are removed?

Author of the article:

Soldatova Lyudmila Nikolaevna

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical Dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, Chief Physician of the Alfa-Dent Dental Clinic, St. Petersburg

Let's figure out what complications exist when wearing braces and the consequences of such a long-term smile correction, and most importantly, how to avoid or minimize them.

Possible complications when wearing structures

As a rule, the orthodontist informs the patient about all the consequences that may occur due to the new system in the oral cavity before starting treatment. Many difficulties are normal for the adaptation period, however, some pathologies require specialist intervention.

The most common problems associated with wearing braces are:

• Sensation of a foreign body in the oral cavity.
  A new device in your mouth will inevitably cause discomfort. However, over time, the owner of the system adapts to the new sensations and ceases to feel the braces. Typically, the adaptation period lasts 1-2 weeks after installation.
• Pain in the periodontal area.
  Unpleasant sensations in some areas of the gums are considered normal. Under pressure, the teeth gradually move into the correct position, which causes pain. This symptom does not appear in all patients and depends, first of all, on the severity of the defect. If the discomfort intensifies, dentists recommend taking a pain reliever.
• Headache.
  Surprisingly, when wearing orthopedic structures, patients often suffer from headaches. The pressure that the “braces” create on the teeth is transferred to the bones of the skull and acts on the nerve endings, which provokes painful sensations.
• Rubbing of the mucous membrane, profuse salivation.
  Braces are a foreign object in the oral cavity. The mucous membrane becomes irritated and increased salivation occurs. This phenomenon is also normal, especially if the patient wears bulky structures. In the first weeks, braces can injure the surface of the cheeks, lips, and tongue.
• Inflammation of the gums.
  A foreign body in the oral cavity can also cause inflammation of the soft tissues. As a rule, special gels, ointments and rinses help eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

To avoid inflammation, dentists recommend using special gels and ointments. An effective remedy that will help to successfully eliminate and prevent inflammation in the oral cavity is ASEPTA gum gel with propolis. The gel has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effects against gram-positive bacteria, as well as antipruritic and analgesic effects (reduces pain in affected tissues). The product also accelerates the process of regeneration and epithelization of wound surfaces and stimulates metabolic processes.

If the inflammation was caused by bacteria due to poor hygiene, the patient should definitely consult a dentist. The doctor will conduct a detailed examination of the oral cavity and, if necessary, prescribe adequate treatment.

Other common problems that accompany wearing braces include:

• Impaired diction.
  Unfortunately, wearing braces at first inevitably provokes speech impairment. Diction is most strongly affected by lingual structures installed on the inside of the teeth. Over time, the speech defect goes away, and to speed up the adaptation process, patients are advised to read aloud.
• Diet restrictions.
  The process of correcting your bite inevitably affects your diet. Wearing braces requires avoiding nuts, seeds, soft drinks, and various sticky foods. Improper nutrition significantly reduces the life of the structure.
• Unnatural smile.
  . Many owners are embarrassed to smile widely, exposing their teeth. The smile turns out to be restrained; the lips cannot cover the increased volume of teeth.
• Dry lips.
  Those with braces inevitably suffer from excessive dry lips, so after installing the braces, be sure to stock up on moisturizing lipsticks and lip balms.
• Caries and enamel damage.
  Insufficient and illiterate oral hygiene provokes the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, which, when wearing braces, accelerates the development of caries. Before orthodontic treatment, it is recommended to have your teeth professionally cleaned and have dental check-ups every three months. The enamel structure can also be destroyed by an incorrectly installed system.
• Destruction of the upper part of the roots of the teeth.
  Due to excessive pressure aimed at moving the teeth, their upper part may be destroyed. Most often, owners of rounded and short teeth suffer from this problem. Such patients are recommended to undergo radiographic examination every six months to prevent the development of pathology.
• Incorrect installation of the braces system
  and, as a result, injury and inflammation of the gums, as well as various dental problems.
• Difficulty in care.
  Food debris often gets stuck between the enamel of the teeth and the arches of the braces, so after eating it is imperative to clean the mouth. If a toothbrush or a special orthodontic brush is not at hand, the patient should rinse his mouth thoroughly.

Most modern orthodontic structures are absolutely safe and hypoallergenic. However, if your body exhibits an unusual reaction after getting braces, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

An allergy to braces usually manifests itself as a minor rash in or around the mouth. In rare cases, runny nose, dizziness, and shortness of breath may occur.

Home whitening after braces is an unjustified risk

Using popular non-professional home whitening techniques, you can cause significant damage to your teeth. Chemical teeth whitening agents purchased at the pharmacy or recommended on online forums can destroy not only the thin layer of damaged enamel, but also the porous tooth tissue located underneath it. As a result, a patient who has spent a considerable amount on treatment with sapphire or self-ligating braces and is trying to save money on a whitening procedure may simply lose individual teeth.

Gum inflammation

During and after orthodontic treatment, the patient begins to notice that while wearing braces, his gums have receded. Inflammation of soft tissues occurs due to poor dental care, lack of vitamins or incorrectly installed orthodontic system. You also need to understand that after tooth extraction there may also be inflammation of the gums.

In rare cases, a complication of wearing braces is gum recession and exposure of tooth roots.

In most cases, the inflammatory process in the gums while wearing braces begins due to poor hygiene. Braces make the cleaning process more difficult, which often leads to plaque deposits and tartar formation. As a result, problems begin, the gums bleed and hurt. The same symptoms can be observed after braces are removed.

A more rare reason is incorrect installation of the orthodontic system or its manufacturing errors. In these cases, braces can injure the gums, after which inflammation begins. If, some time after installing an orthodontic system, you notice that your gums are swollen, pain, and bleeding appear, then it is better to visit an orthodontist. This is necessary to eliminate the possibility of incorrect position of the braces.

A similar situation can be observed after braces are removed for the same reason - weakening of the gums occurs as a result of the accumulation of plaque, which is a breeding ground for various bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms.

It is important to recognize inflammation in the early stages and go to the orthodontist so that the doctor can prescribe treatment. When wearing braces, it is important to regularly brush your teeth twice a day and after every meal, and the use of an irrigator is recommended.

Reasons for changes in enamel color

Lighter areas of enamel often remain in the places where the locks are attached. Various factors lead to the appearance of such marks.

• Improper oral hygiene. If you brush your teeth irregularly, plaque accumulates on them, which leads to darkening of the enamel.
• Smoking and eating dye products - coffee, strong black tea, grapes, etc. Dyes penetrate the enamel and cause it to turn yellow. At the same time, the areas of the teeth on which the braces are attached remain white.
• Insufficient hydration. Due to the tight fixation of the lock, the enamel is no longer wetted by saliva, loses its shine and becomes matte.
• Caries. One of its manifestations is white spots.

The doctor will determine the exact reason for the change in enamel shade based on the results of the examination.

Problems that arise after removing braces

After the system is removed, orthodontic patients face other, sometimes no less, problems.

• Stains on the enamel.
  After removing the structure, white spots become clearly visible on the enamel. Often, even the most attentive owners of the structure cannot prevent pigmentation of teeth. This is normal and goes away after cleaning!
• Demineralization of enamel.
  The structure of the enamel changes under the pressure of the “staples”. The surface of the teeth becomes thinner, the enamel becomes more sensitive and is susceptible to carious lesions. To minimize the risk of demineralization, experts advise using special fluoride-containing rinses when wearing braces. It is also necessary, if possible, to avoid mechanical stress and periodically visit the dentist.
• Reverse displacement of teeth.
  It’s hard to believe, but despite the long period of treatment, after removal of the structures, the teeth can return to their original position. This situation can be caused by the anatomical features of an adult body, as well as refusal to wear retainers, which secure the result of treatment. It is important to understand that teeth are mobile throughout life, and the bite can still change.
• Gaps between teeth.
  The problem occurs for the same reasons as when teeth shift in the opposite direction. The teeth try to “return” to their original position, which contributes to the formation of gaps.

Remineralization of teeth, prosthetics and whitening

Remineralization is a multi-step procedure that should only be performed by a specially trained physician. It is divided into several stages: grinding the affected areas of enamel with further coating of the tooth with a solution rich in useful minerals. This substance is able to penetrate deep into the periodontal tissues and saturate them with the substances necessary for strength and strength.

In addition to treating teeth with various preparations, dentists advise healing your body from the inside. For this, a course of taking vitamin complexes may be prescribed, as well as following a special diet, for example, eating food rich in calcium and fluoride. It is important to understand that medications should be taken only as prescribed by the treating doctor.

Teeth whitening after removing braces is not recommended for all patients. This method is extreme and is used when others have not helped. As an alternative, you can install veneers or lumineers (thin overlays made of durable material), this will mask small defects. But it is best to follow the advice of orthodontists and hygienists and remember to brush your teeth daily, this will protect yourself from the appearance of stains on the enamel after braces.

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How to avoid unpleasant consequences?

Preventing the consequences of wearing braces includes actions such as:

• Careful daily oral hygiene.
  During daily procedures, it is important to use not only a brush and toothpaste, but also dental floss, an irrigator, and orthodontic brushes. When brushing your teeth, do not put excessive pressure on the enamel and gums.
• Elimination of self-removal of the structure.
  Only a dentist should remove the braces system; under no circumstances should you try to dismantle it yourself, even if there is a good reason for doing so.
• Timely contact with the orthodontist.
  If the structure becomes loose or broken, it is important to contact a specialist as soon as possible. The orthodontist will examine your mouth and, if necessary, your braces.

We hope your orthodontic treatment will be successful, and after the braces are removed, you will be the happy owner of a beautiful smile. Take care of your teeth and remember, ASEPTA products will always help you cope with any dental problem.

Sources:

1. The effectiveness of the use of Asept “adhesive balm” and Asept “gel with propolis” in the treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis and gingivitis in the acute stage (Municipal Dental Clinic No. 4, Bryansk, Kaminskaya T. M. Head of the therapeutic department Kaminskaya Tatyana Mikhailovna MUZ City Dental Clinic No. 4, Bryansk
2. Report on clinical trials to determine/confirm the preventive properties of commercially produced personal oral hygiene products: mouth rinse "ASEPTA PARODONTAL" - Solution for irrigator." Doctor of Medical Sciences Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Head. Department of Preventive Dentistry S.B. Ulitovsky, doctor-researcher A.A. Leontiev First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after academician I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry.
3. Clinical studies of antisensitive toothpaste “Asepta Sensitive” (A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, S.B. Ulitovsky) A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova
4. Report on the determination/confirmation of the preventive properties of personal oral hygiene products “ASEPTA PLUS” Remineralization doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry

Treatment of stains on teeth at the dentist

Regardless of the color of the stain on the tooth, the best solution is to consult a doctor. The dentists of the Elitedental M clinic will conduct the first free examination and prescribe the treatment necessary for your case.

The set of procedures depends on the cause of the spots:

1. The most common, carious ones, are treated using special solutions that restore tooth enamel. The same restoration method is used for enamel hypoplasia.
2. If the cause of the stain is tartar or plaque, the dentist will carefully remove it and apply a protective fluoride varnish.
3. Chemical, laser and photo whitening help even out the shade of tooth enamel.
4. The aesthetics of teeth is restored by installing cosmetic crowns.
5. If there is a lack of minerals and salts, treatment is prescribed. The doctor prescribes calcium supplements and vitamins, and gives recommendations on the choice of medicinal paste.

Correction principle

The method of correcting malocclusion with braces is based on the principle of creating constant pressure on the teeth. Under pressure, the tooth root begins to press on the socket on one side, thereby causing rarefaction of the bone tissue. In the direction of rarefaction, the tooth moves. On the other side of the hole, bone tissue, on the contrary, grows. Thus, after a certain period of time, not only the position of the tooth changes, but also the shape of the socket, which prevents the tooth from returning to its original place.

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Bone tissue grows quite quickly, but it takes quite a long time to “ripen”. That is why, after finishing wearing the brace system, a removable retainer is made for the patient for another year or two or a splint is installed on the incisors and canines. Additional fixation during the retention period helps to avoid repeated tooth curvature.

What causes spots to appear?

Despite people's beliefs that it is the fault of braces, stains appear not under the clasp, but next to it. And there are 4 main reasons for color change:

• Insufficient level of cleaning of the tooth surface before installing the structure.
• Failure to follow your dentist's instructions regarding oral care and office visits.
• Dentist mistakes when installing braces (excessive removal of adhesive residues, when a space is formed between the clasp and the tooth; this leads to the filling of voids with food debris, the proliferation of bacteria and the development of caries).
• Violation of the dentist's instructions regarding diet.

Dentists about braces and risks

Braces are a system that consists of clasps and power arches (dental wire). The clasps are fixed to the tooth surface with special glue. By choosing a wire of a certain thickness and adjusting the system, the orthodontist changes the force of pressure with which the system acts on the teeth. Thanks to this, the process of moving teeth becomes completely controlled and predictable.

In theory, everything is simple: the doctor installs the structure and conducts a routine “technical inspection” of it, and the patient, throughout the entire period of treatment, provides thorough oral care using products specially designed for this. In fact, many people neglect the rules of hygiene. The accumulation of bacterial plaque in children and young adults occurs much more slowly than in adults, which is why teenagers often do not understand the need for daily oral care. The result of a careless attitude is the development of a number of complications, of which caries is often not the biggest problem.