Can clear braces and aligners turn yellow?
Unfortunately, the answer is – yes, and it’s primarily dependent on the foods and beverages you’re consuming. So here’s a list of the tooth-staining foods you should be aware of and some tips on keeping your smile bright and white while straightening your teeth.
Foods That Discolor Clear Braces or Aligners
Just like with your natural teeth, foods and beverages high in acidity tend to discolor your teeth, clear braces, and aligners. Here are some of the top culprits to be aware of:
- Tomatoes or marinara sauce
- Dark berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries
- Curries
- Soy sauce
- Coffee or black tea
- Red wine
- Dark cola
- Fruit juices
- Balsamic vinegar
Keeping Clear Braces and Aligners Clean
Awareness of these foods doesn’t mean you have to eliminate them from your diet completely. If you’re eating or drinking these items, you can have water with them to help rinse them from your mouth. You can also brush your teeth or clean your aligners afterward if you enjoy some of these foods and beverages.
Since you can remove clear aligners, keeping them clean and bacteria-free is easy. You can also brush them in the evening before to bed to keep them fresh and clean.
You can use interproximal brushes to clean food particles between and around clear braces, which helps them retain their bright appearance.
Learn More About Clear Braces in Seattle
Dr. Micah Bickel offers comprehensive orthodontic treatment at our Seattle dental office. So we’ve got you covered if you need traditional brackets and wires or clear aligners to straighten your teeth.
The benefits of straight teeth go well beyond the confidence a beautiful smile brings because straight teeth are easier to brush, floss, and keep clean, which means less opportunity for developing problems like tooth decay and gum disease.