All of us want to have that perfect smile. But it can be hard to achieve if a person has false or crooked teeth. Braces are a decent option for aligning those teeth.
Swollen gums with braces? They are a norm for people getting orthodontic treatment. A typical reaction to the placement of braces is gum swelling. Moreover, when they are changed after about a month, patients experience more discomfort. This is entirely natural. However, there is a couple of ways that can help you to cope up with that pain.
Inflamed Gums With Braces:
First of all, it’s crucial to know the reason behind gum swelling with braces.
- Mounts are cemented to your teeth with wires and brackets, due to which rigorous brushing is hardly possible. Still, brushing your teeth to remove bacteria (or plaque) is essential. If the teeth are not cleaned thoroughly, the plaque can contribute to gingivitis (inflamed gums) or periodontal gum disease.
- Another reason is hormonal changes. Puberty hormones tend to worsen swollen gums in young patients. Inflamed gums are difficult to tackle, and if they are not appropriately treated, they can even lead to worse issues.
- Specific medical conditions like obesity or diabetes are more prone to inflamed gums as compared to others.
If such conditions are overlooked, one might face worse situations. Hyperplasia or Hypertrophy are two of those conditions. During these conditions, your gums can grow abnormally due to excessive sensitivity caused by the braces.
What To Do?
If you understand these aforementioned conditions, then below are several effective home remedies against gum swelling with braces that might help you:
- Brushing and flossing
- Replace your toothbrush periodically.
- Use a water flosser to clean food debris.
- Regularly follow the antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Anti-inflammation medicines (it’s better if your orthodontist prescribes them)
- Avoid eating hard, sticky food
- Avoid tobacco products. Tobacco irritates the gums!
- Avoid alcoholic beverages as they’re irritating too.
- Forget about eating popcorns or consuming sugary drinks.
- Gargling with lukewarm salted water for quick relief
- Increase the intake of vitamin C
- Use interdental brushes if possible.
You can try some remedies at your home if the swollen gums aren’t as bad. Usually, people benefit from these remedies a lot. However, if these remedies don’t work for you, try to consult with your orthodontist or dentist at your earliest.
Medical Treatment:
If braces have caused inflamed gums or swollen gums, then seeing a dentist should be on top of your to-do list. It is essential to take the dental hygiene condition seriously, or else you’ll bear not only more pain but also face various circumstances.
If your home-remedies are failing against hyperplasia, contact your dentist. The treatment for swollen gums with braces includes laser, which is not particularly painful. If the gingivitis hyperplasia is at a more critical stage, then your dentist might remove the affected gum tissue too.
For booking an appointment with our expert doctors, call Vintage Smile Family Dentistry at 281 251 7770.