At Rising Stars Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, there’s nothing we love more than celebrating a fresh new smile after braces. It’s a huge milestone—one that comes with a lot of joy, a little relief, and sometimes, one last question: “What can we do about those little white spots or uneven color left behind from the brackets?”
That’s where teeth whitening comes in.
Whether your child or teen is looking to fine-tune their smile or just wants an added boost of confidence, we offer a whitening solution that’s both effective and safe for younger patients. Let’s break it down and help you understand why professional whitening—especially after braces—can be a great next step.
Why Whiten After Braces?
Braces do amazing things for alignment, but they don’t always leave behind a picture-perfect finish. It’s common for patients to notice uneven coloration or faint white stains around where the brackets used to be. These areas are often signs of early enamel changes that occurred during treatment, even with great brushing habits.
Some kids also experience:
- Surface staining from food and drinks
- Mild discoloration where plaque built up around the brackets
- White spot lesions caused by demineralization under or around braces
Whitening helps brighten the entire smile and reduce the contrast between those white spots and the rest of the enamel—creating a smoother, more uniform appearance overall.
Meet Our Go-To Whitening Option: The Fancymancy Rising Stars Whitening Kit
We’ve tried a lot of options over the years, and this is the one we consistently come back to.
Our Rising Stars Whitening Kit is designed to deliver professional-grade results in the comfort of your home. It’s simple to use, comes with everything you need, and works fast—making it perfect for teens who just wrapped up orthodontic treatment and are ready for their smile to really shine.
What’s in the kit?
- A rechargeable LED light accelerator to enhance whitening power
- Three syringes of prescription-strength whitening gel
- A tube of desensitizing gel for added comfort
This kit checks all the boxes: powerful, convenient, and gentle enough for our pediatric and teen patients.
Prescription-Strength Whitening That Actually Works
You might be wondering what makes this kit different from something you can buy off the shelf at the store. The answer is in the science.
Our kit contains 20% carbamide peroxide, a prescription-grade whitening agent that penetrates the enamel safely and effectively. That’s significantly stronger than what you’ll find in most over-the-counter products but still gentle enough when used under our guidance.
Why does that matter?
- Faster, more noticeable results
- Less risk of overuse or irritation
- Safer application with our oversight
We’re not here to oversell anything, we just want to make sure you get a whitening solution that works without wasting time or money on strips that don’t move the needle.
Is Whitening Safe for My Child or Teen?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and it’s a good one.
Yes, whitening is safe when it’s done at the right time and with the right tools. We typically recommend starting whitening after all orthodontic treatment is complete, especially once any remaining glue or adhesive from the brackets has been professionally removed.
That’s why we only offer whitening to patients who:
- Have completed braces or aligner treatment
- Are maintaining great brushing and flossing habits
- Are under our ongoing care (so we can monitor their progress)
We’ll walk you and your child through the entire process and let you know exactly when it’s safe to begin whitening. No guesswork, just guided, expert care.
What About White Spots After Braces?
White spots are one of the biggest reasons patients seek out whitening. While whitening doesn’t “erase” the spots completely, it can reduce the contrast between them and the rest of the enamel. Think of it as brightening the surrounding teeth to make everything blend more naturally.
It’s a subtle but powerful improvement—one that many teens love when they’re heading back to school, prepping for a special event, or just want to feel good in photos.
And the best part? With a little patience and good oral hygiene, these spots often become less noticeable on their own over time. Whitening just helps speed up that journey.
How Soon Will I See Results?
With our kit, many of our patients start noticing a difference within the first few sessions. A full course typically takes 10–14 days, depending on your starting shade and how consistent you are with the process.
Because this is prescription-grade whitening, it’s stronger than your average product so you’ll see results more quickly and more evenly. The LED accelerator also helps speed things up by breaking down stains faster.
Just be sure to follow the instructions we provide, and don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions or want to check in on progress.
How to Keep Your Smile Bright After Whitening
Whitening is a great boost but like anything else, maintenance matters.
1. Keep Those Pearly Whites Clean
The biggest factor in how long your results last? Daily oral hygiene. We recommend:
- Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes (set a timer!)
- Flossing once a day
- Using an electric toothbrush if you don’t already
Electric brushes help remove more surface stains and can make a big difference in keeping your results looking fresh.
2. Come See Us for Polishing
During your regular checkups, we’ll do a polishing step to remove any surface buildup and keep your teeth smooth and shiny. It’s like a tune-up for your smile—and it can extend the life of your whitening results significantly.
FAQs About Whitening After Braces
How soon after braces can my child start whitening?
We usually recommend waiting 1–2 weeks after braces are removed so we can clean the teeth thoroughly and ensure any adhesive residue is gone. At your child’s post-debond visit, we’ll let you know if they’re ready.
Will whitening make white spots worse?
No. In fact, it can help reduce the appearance of white spots by brightening the surrounding enamel and evening out overall tone. We’ll guide you on the best approach for your child’s unique needs.
How long will the whitening results last?
That depends on diet, hygiene habits, and regular dental care. Most patients maintain results for 6–12 months with good brushing and minimal stain-causing foods or drinks. You can repeat the process as needed under our supervision.
What if my child has sensitive teeth?
That’s why our kit includes a desensitizing gel—just in case! It helps soothe the teeth and gums if any sensitivity pops up. Plus, we can always adjust the whitening schedule if needed.
Can you whiten teeth with permanent retainers?
Yes, but with caution. If your child has a bonded retainer, we’ll show them how to carefully apply the gel to avoid direct contact with the retainer and get even results.
Why Whitening Matters More Than You Think
We know it’s easy to think of whitening as just a cosmetic add-on but for many of our patients, it’s the final step in a long, transformative journey. After months (or years) in braces, they’ve earned this.
It’s about more than just white teeth. It’s about:
- Smiling bigger in school photos
- Feeling confident when speaking up in class
- Heading into high school or college with pride
And for us? It’s about giving your child a strong finish and a reason to smile.
Ready to Brighten That Post-Braces Smile?
If your child or teen just finished orthodontic treatment and is curious about whitening, we’d love to help you take that next step.
Our Rising Stars Whitening Kit is available right here in the office, and we’re always happy to walk you through how to use it safely and effectively at home.
Call us today at (512) 640-4090 to schedule a consultation or ask about picking up your kit.
Let’s keep that smile shining because here at Rising Stars, we believe every kid deserves to feel like a star.