Whiten Your Teeth

McClellan Orthodontics

The feeling you have after getting your braces removed is the absolute best! 

Unfortunately, some people get their braces off and are disappointed by the color of their teeth. From toothpaste to whitening trays…there are many options for whitening your teeth after your braces have been removed.

Whitening Toothpaste – Whitening toothpastes are different from regular toothpastes as they includes more abrasive ingredients to scrub the surface of the teeth to remove surface stains. Whitening toothpastes are the least expensive and most easily accessible option for brightening your smile. However, it can take several weeks to begin to see results. 

At-home Whitening Kits – At-home whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips are relatively effective and can help whiten your teeth after braces. At-home whitening kits are able remove stains from under the tooth surface with bleaching agents that contain hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching agent reacts with the internal aspect of your tooth, mixing with the discolored areas and breaking them apart, giving your teeth a noticeably whiter appearance.

Professional Teeth Whitening – If you have serious stains or white spots on your teeth after your braces have been removed, a professional whitening treatment is the best choice. With professional whitening, you’ll be able to quickly reverse years of staining in a single appointment.

If you or a member of your family has just completed orthodontic treatment and are looking for teeth whitening options in Kenilworth, IL, the team at McClellan Orthodontics can help answer any questions you may have. Give our office a call today! 

 

Handling Orthodontic Issues at Home

McClellan Orthodontics

Even though you are careful, you may occasionally damage your braces or orthodontic appliance. While there are steps you can take to temporarily fix or alleviate discomfort and prevent additional damage, you should always notify our office if you have any issues or concerns. 

At McClellan Orthodontics, we want our patients to be informed of problems that may occur, and understand how to solve them until it is possible to return to our office. With the supplies listed below, you will be prepared to handle the most common orthodontic issues at home.

• Orthodontic wax
• Dental floss 
• Tweezers
• Q-tips 
• Salt
• Non-prescription pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) 
• Topical Anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel)

Below are some typical orthodontic issues and how you can solve them:

Discomfort - It’s normal to have some initial discomfort during orthodontic treatment as your teeth move. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water and over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may alleviate this discomfort.  If the discomfort lasts longer than a couple days, be sure to call our office.

Mouth Sores - Some patients are susceptible to episodes of mouth sores. While braces do not cause these sores, they may be exacerbated by an irritation from your braces. Mouth sores are not an emergency, but they can be very uncomfortable. Prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab. 

Irritation - Sometimes braces or wires can be irritating to your mouth, especially when eating. A small amount of orthodontic wax makes an excellent buffer between the metal bracket and your mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece of wax and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the bracket causing irritation. 

Protruding Wire - Occasionally the end of a wire will work itself out of place and can irritate your mouth. Use a Q-tip or clean tweezer and try to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with wax.

There will be normal, day-to-day discomfort associated with wearing braces, if you have any questions about your orthodontic treatment, or if you think you may have a true orthodontic emergency, don’t hesitate to call our Kenilworth orthodonticoffice…We can help!