You may have heard that wearing rubber bands can help with your teeth’s straightening process, but what you might not know is that the color of your rubber bands can also affect your teeth’s appearance as well! The different colors of braces rubber band colors affect the color of your teeth in different ways, so it’s important to choose the right color to ensure your teeth don’t look yellow! Here are 10 reasons you have yellow teeth and how to get rid of them.
1) You Don’t Clean Your Braces Often Enough
Ideally, you should be cleaning your braces before and after every meal, but many people aren’t vigilant about doing so. Because you’re eating with braces, food is more likely to get stuck on them than it would be if you didn’t have braces. Cleaning your braces after each meal ensures that any food particles that fall between them will be eliminated from there rather than having a chance to dry out on your teeth. Most professional orthodontists recommend replacing rubber bands every three weeks as well, which can also make a big difference in how yellow they look.
2) You Use Certain Toothpastes
The color of your teeth can be affected by more than just surface stains. Different toothpastes have different ingredients, but one common problem is too much fluoride. If you use a toothpaste with fluoride, it’s important to brush gently so you don’t damage enamel and expose dentin. With enough exposure, that can make your teeth turn yellow-grey or even dark brown. Try switching toothpastes if you’re not happy with how they look and see what works best for you!
3) There’s Debris Underneath Your Braces
Ever wonder why your teeth are always a little yellow? Well, it’s probably because there’s debris under your braces that gets trapped and never really comes out. Once it gets in there, it will only get worse as time goes on and as you eat more food. To keep these stains from building up underneath your clear rubber bands, try brushing twice a day with an extra soft toothbrush and using an antimicrobial mouthwash after meals. This will help remove any leftover bits of food that may still be around—and thus prevent them from discoloring in those hard-to-reach places.
4) The Rubber Bands Make a Different Color
There are five colors in a typical dental braces color wheel: yellow, white, pink, blue and grey. The shades all have specific names depending on what shade they are. For example, white is called veneer while grey is called titanium. All these colors can be achieved with rubber bands or by using colored wires; however, using rubber bands tends to give you brighter colors and really make your teeth pop. The only downside? They look a little weird when you smile because everyone else is getting darker colors and you’re not! While you don't have any real control over which color your dentist puts on your braces, it's worth noting that different kinds of metal do react differently with rubber bands.
5) The Metal Causes Discoloration
First and foremost, it's important to note that yellowing is caused by a chemical reaction between your braces colors metal brackets and your teeth. While white rubber bands can make it appear as if you have yellow teeth, even clear ones contribute some discoloration. In fact, almost any type of oral appliance will result in some tooth discoloration. As long as you're seeing your dentist regularly, they'll be able to tell you how much of an effect each individual part of your treatment is having on your smile's color.
6) The Light Makes Them Seem Whiter
Most people with yellow teeth wear white or clear rubber bands. Those rubber bands are made of elastomer and contain dyes that tend to stain. If you’re wearing best braces colors , your orthodontist should have you replace your rubber bands every couple weeks or so for fresh ones. Regardless, make sure you don’t leave them on too long because they can get stuck in between your brackets and cause damage as well as discoloration.
7) Your Mouth Has Blood on It When You Look in the Mirror
Blood can cause your teeth to appear yellow. If you've had a cough or a nosebleed recently, keep an eye on your mouth for any sign of reddish-brown discoloration. One way to check if it's blood is to run a finger over your gums after brushing; if it feels smooth and slippery, there's likely no discoloration. If it feels grainy, it may be bleeding and you should see your dentist as soon as possible. If a clot starts growing from one of your gum lines, that could also contribute to yellowing teeth. When they're not treated in time, gingivitis—an inflammation of gum tissue—can cause painful sores and leave teeth exposed to further decay.
8) They Change Color Over Time
To some extent, all rubber bands take on a yellowish hue over time. They do contain latex, after all, and tiny amounts of that are released as they age. The more frequently you replace your rubber bands, however, the less likely you are to see discoloration from them. Additionally, colored bands tend to leach color into your teeth more than clear ones do. So if you’re concerned about discoloring your teeth when wearing lavender braces , opt for clear rubber bands instead. You should also visit your dentist regularly during orthodontic treatment so they can be certain no permanent tooth enamel damage is being done by any materials that might have been used in conjunction with your braces.
9) Brushing Before Putting on Rubber Bands Makes Things Worse
If you're wearing braces colors wheel and are already brushing your teeth regularly, then it's unlikely that adding rubber bands will lead to a change in tooth color. However, there is one thing that can make yellowing worse: putting on rubber bands before brushing your teeth. Placing a rubber band on your teeth and then rinsing your mouth with water can introduce water stains into the enamel of your teeth—and, if they're visible while you're wearing braces, they'll become even more obvious once they come off. If you really want bright white teeth while you have metal mouth fixtures in place, try flossing after every meal rather than before. What color braces make your teeth look white?
10 ) Certain Foods Cause Stains
One reason you might have yellow teeth is if you’re eating or drinking foods and beverages that cause staining. Most common offenders include tea, coffee, red wine, berries, raisins and certain vitamins. These foods tend to tinge your teeth with varying degrees of yellow or brown—and it’s normal for those substances to stain your teeth slightly. But an ongoing discoloration may be a sign that you have overly sensitive teeth. If so, reach out to your dentist; he or she may suggest a tooth-whitening treatment using laser light. It may take several treatments before you see results, but it can be a great way get rid of unsightly stains!
