If you have recently treated your teeth with braces, you might be experiencing swollen or inflamed gums. However, there is nothing unusual about it, but still, it can be a painful side effect that you need to watch out for. So, how do you get your gums back to normal and help yourself in avoiding this problem? Here’s how you tackle gum swelling and inflammation efficiently when you are wearing braces. But, first, let’s find out:
Significant Reasons for Gum Inflammation
Teeth Movement: During your dental treatment, you may not be able to look at your teeth. When you are wearing braces, they apply a steady constant pressure that results in few changes to your jawbone and gums. Consequently, your gums start to feel sore, especially after you get them fixed. If that’s the case, your gums will get back to normal after a few days or weeks after the treatment.
Gum Disease: You wouldn’t notice this at first, but braces create tiny spaces around your teeth. As a result, the food you eat can quickly get stuck in these small spaces resulting in bacteria-filled plaque deposits. And if you forget to deal with these plaques and deposits of food, you make yourself prone to having gum disease. As a result, your gums start becoming red and swollen, and they might even begin to bleed if not treated.
Gingival Enlargement: The issue of swollen gum that you face could be gingival enlargement, commonly known as gingival hypertrophy or hyperplasia. The problem causes your gums an abnormal growth of gingival tissues. According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), medicinal or hereditary factors typically trigger it. It can also be caused due to plaque accumulation on the teeth, which happens when wearing spacers or binders.
These are the things that you need to watch out for when wearing braces; next, we find out:
How to Get Rid of Inflammation and Swollen Gums
If you are suffering from swollen gums, make sure you discuss it with your dentist and get the treatment you need. However, there are some quick fixes that you can apply before you take any serious step. Gargling with salt water provides you with immediate relief and the oral hygiene you’ve been missing. Since food remains are most likely to get trapped in your braces, here’s how you can deal it with on your own and maintain your oral hygiene:
Floss every day: Flossing can help you remove all the remaining food particles that you couldn’t get rid of while brushing your teeth. Make sure you do it every day after brushing your teeth in the morning and at night. Try a waxed floss or orthopedic floss threader if you are worried about floss getting stuck in your brackets and tearing.
Brush your teeth: As mentioned earlier, brushing your teeth twice a day will keep plaque accumulation to a minimum. Make sure you do not haste while brushing your teeth and don’t stop until you see the brackets clear and clean. And once you are done brushing, rinse with mouthwash for the final touch.
To Sum it Up
Gum inflammation and swelling are widespread when you are wearing braces. However, that does not give an excuse not to take care of your oral hygiene. With these simple tips, you can get a clean and healthy mouth even when wearing them.
