Ceramic Braces?

Question

How do you keep them REALLY clean and white? www.wikihowto.com says use whitening toothpaste, BUT other people say STAY AWAY from anything that has whiteners in them, as they cause squares to be on your teeth when your braces come off.

I have ceramic braces, but it looks like they are not as white as they were when I got them almost a month ago. Maybe it could just be the ligature bands that are slightly turning in color (as they are suppose to over time), instead of the brackets? what do you think?

I just want them to appear to be as white as possible. Hook me up with your advice!!

Keep in mind: I brush like 5 times a day, use mouth wash, floss after eating, drinking, so forth and so on...

Answer 1

I used whitening stuff when I had my braces. I didn't notice any squares on my teeth once they buffed them after removing the braces, and Crest Whitestrips totally took care of anything left behind.

The main reason your ortho could say to stay away from whitening products is that it can sometime dissolve the glue that is holding your braces in place. I did have a bracket come off, but they glued it back on for me.

I think you can use whitening toothpaste maybe once a day, just don't use it every time you brush.

Answer 2

My orthodontist would give me little sample tubes of whitening toothpaste to take home and I had ceramic brackets.  It's best to ask your own orthodontist as then if the advice was wrong you have someone to blame.  Just make a quick call and ask is it alright to use whitening products and if not what do you use instead?