Hi everyone. My daughter is 12 and has been in braces for the last year and a half. She is about to get them off next week. She's never been great about brushing teeth while in braces, I've wanted her to be responsible for her teeth, but out of concern I would step in and do them maybe once a week or so. Dental checkups have always been ok- they almost always mentioned that her gums were a little puffy, but otherwise no problems, no cavities.
Her last dental appt was just a few days ago and he mentioned that she has a few discolored spots, and he will know more once the braces are off. I was a little shocked and didn't know what to ask, and he wasn't alarmed, just mentioned it. I looked at her teeth last night and there is one spot on a bottom tooth, not so conspicious. But it looks like the tips of her front two teeth are a shade whiter than the rest. I feel so guilty. I knew she wasn't doing a stellar job brushing, but she was brushing, and since I stepped in sometimes and especially because she didn't get cavities or have this pointed out at the dentist, I thought things were ok. I feel completely sick about this.
Is there anything they can do for this? I'm not sure if this is common after braces or not, and if they can be polished or what? I'm not sure if bleaching would help, because wouldn't it lighten everything? This would still leave different shades wouldn't it? Anyone know of this happening to anyone else and what was the outcome? Thanks for any stories or advice.
The stains are likely permanent due to demineralezation. There are mouth washes and toothpastes she can use to help restore the teeth, but they will always be weaker in those spots. The gums will recover with regular flossing.
A 12 year old should be responsible enough to brush their teeth well. We had 5 kids in braces and none had any spots on the teeth when they were taken off. Our kids had the braces on longer than your daughter too I think. Our orthodontist told us if they didn't brush right they would ruin the teeth so I would assume these are permanent but do check with the dentist/orthodontist.
I've got white stains on my two front teeth. They have been their since I was little. They are from antibiotics I was told.
Their is nothing to really worry about, I think. It doesn't sound like a cavity. It could be a tooth stain. My son has these in the back of his molars. It is from food. Someone also said a demineralization. Which isn't anything to serious, either.
I had braces when I was around that age too. I had to use a water pik, and those floss threads to floss my teeth with. I wasn't that great about it though. Their was some staining, and plaque build up , but no cavities or anything serious. I remember using some of those whitening strips, which are kind of a waste. The best thing I have done is to once a month brush my teeth with pure baking soda. For some reason, this helps.
I really wouldn't get sick about this at all. You can't prevent everything.
when my cousin got her braces off years ago she had clearly visible white spots where they braces are glued on to the teeth.. they clean the teeth very well before they attach the braces, and she never took good care of her teeth.. so by the time she got them off her teeth were yellowed/stained and where the braces were werent... she had to go have her teeth bleached to get rid of the spots
Just ask the dentist if there's anything that can be done. Spots can be a common problem for kids after braces. I don't think my SS had any but I'm pretty sure my SDs mom got her teeth whitened at some point after the braces came off. Our dentist said when SD was 13 that her teeth were not a concern, but she shouldn't overbleach with any OTC prodcts. He suggested Crest White Strips if she was self-conscious about the small spots she had.
My 14 year old got her braces off in August. She had them on for only 11 months. On one of her front upper teeth, she has a small brown spot. I think it's from the glue/bracket. The dentist said he would do something to whiten her teeth in the coming months to remove that "stain." I think this is common with braces.
There is a product that your dentist can give you called MI Paste, it is manufactured by a company called GC America. Please check out their website and ask your dentist and ortho about this product.
The white spots could be from antibiotics used when a very small child, or even fluorosis, from over-fluoridation (water, toothpaste, fluoride treatments as a child). Fluorisis is REALLY common these days in kids, my dentist has told me.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fluorosis+in+children&...
And if she has puffy gums, she needs to start flossing daily -- right away! She does NOT want gum disease. Tell her that we need to really keep our mouth/teeth/gums in excellent shape as it affects your entire body's system if you do not. Google it and show her. She is old enough to take responsibility for her body.
P.S. She can bleach her teeth to even out the coloration.
