Metal braces get all the attention when it comes to orthodontics. How do they feel? What do they make you look like? Many patients are surprised to experience, though, how much braces affect not just their teeth but also their gums. Your orthodontist or dentist may inform you that your gums are swollen, red, or inflamed. What does this mean? Time to brush up on how to keep gums healthy during braces treatment.
Causes of Swollen Gums with Braces
Gum care is always critical, and they aren’t something you can ignore, especially when you wear braces. If you notice your gums are large or sensitive, the following could be to blame:
- Hardware irritation: At the start of treatment, braces irritate soft tissues until you get used to the presence of the hardware and everything toughens up.
- Different diet: When you have braces, your diet changes. Crunchy, chewy foods damage brackets and wires – but in a world without braces they keep the gums stimulated and healthy.
- Stuck food: No matter what you’re eating when you have orthodontics, there is a greater chance of getting food stuck in the gums. This can lead to irritation, swelling, and redness.
- Gum disease: Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and presents as red, swollen, irritated gums. The condition is treatable, but the last thing you want is to develop this problem when you have braces. It can set back treatment time and be super uncomfortable.
How to Keep Gums Healthy During Braces Treatment
A dedicated dental care routine is essential for teens and adults with braces. If you want to protect your gums from developing problems, keep your mouth clean and never skip a brushing or flossing:
- Rely on your toothbrush: Massage gums gently with your toothbrush when you brush. This keeps gums stimulated and helps prevent cavities from developing between brackets and gums.
- Floss: It can be a pain to floss with braces. Do the best you can with traditional floss, an interdental brush, or a floss threader and boost your efforts with effective tools like a water pik which eliminates plaque and food buildup between teeth and around the gumline.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Braces offer more places for plaque and bacteria to hide. Brushing and flossing and following your orthodontist’s cleaning recommendations are essential to avoid gum problems. Visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning.
- Rinse: Ask your orthodontist about the best types of rinses for a more comfortable mouth, from saltwater for inflammation to mouthwash for alleviating discomfort. When you’re out and can’t brush after a meal, rinse with water at a minimum.
- Use wax: Orthodontic wax can be used wherever needed while wearing braces. If a bracket or wire is poking you or pushing against your gums, place the wax where the irritation is and contact your orthodontist if the problem persists.
Keep Gums Healthy During Braces Treatment in Woodinville
Irritated gums are usually temporary for braces wearers. Ultimately, braces will improve gum health because straight teeth are easier to clean and keep healthy, reducing the risk of gum disease. Contact Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA, to talk about braces and gum health.
