Everyday life during treatmentQuestion before treatment

Can I whiten my teeth while I have braces or aligners?

Answered byDr Ivelina Ivanova-Koycheva, Orthodontist (MSc)Master's degrees in orthodontics in Rome and in aligner treatment in Turin, international lecturerPublished on 12 November 2026

Whitening your teeth while wearing braces or aligners is possible, and it will not leave ‘spots’ on your teeth, as is often believed. According to research, it can be done, but it is considerably less effective, because the whitening agent does not reach the whole surface of the tooth. Braces and aligner attachments (buttons) prevent the product from spreading evenly. With at-home whitening methods, the result does not differ significantly from that in patients who are not wearing orthodontic appliances. Even so, my advice is to wait until your orthodontic treatment is finished before you start whitening your teeth.

This answer is for general information. Your own case needs an examination by an orthodontist.