Braces align teeth and correct jaw misalignments. While they improve smiles, they can also cause temporary gum swelling. This swelling is often a normal part of the adjustment process as the mouth adapts to new appliances.
How Braces Affect Gum Health
Braces can cause gum swelling. The pressure applied to move teeth leads to inflammation as gum tissues adapt, especially when braces are first placed or adjusted.
Brackets and wires create spaces where food and plaque accumulate, making oral hygiene challenging. If plaque is not removed, it can trigger gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Physical irritation from the braces can also worsen inflammation.
Identifying Swollen Gums
Swollen gums often appear red or purplish, smooth, or shiny, and feel tender. Bleeding during brushing, flossing, or eating is a common indicator of gum inflammation. Persistent bad breath can also accompany it. While some soreness and mild swelling are temporary reactions to braces adjustments, persistent or worsening symptoms may signal gingivitis.
Keeping Gums Healthy with Braces
Preventing gum swelling largely relies on maintaining meticulous oral hygiene, which requires extra effort with braces. Brushing teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, ideally after every meal, helps remove food particles and plaque that easily get trapped around brackets and wires. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a specialized orthodontic toothbrush is recommended, brushing at a 45-degree angle along the gumline and carefully cleaning around each bracket. Interdental brushes can be particularly useful for cleaning the small spaces under wires and around brackets.
Flossing daily is equally important, as a toothbrush cannot reach all areas. Floss threaders or water flossers are effective tools for navigating around braces to clean between teeth and at the gumline. Waxed floss is often preferred as it is less likely to shred or get caught in the braces. Rinsing with an antiseptic or fluoride mouthwash can further reduce bacteria and strengthen enamel, contributing to overall gum health.
Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings, typically every six months, are also essential to remove plaque and tartar that cannot be removed at home. A balanced diet, rich in soft fruits, cooked vegetables, and dairy products, supports gum health and minimizes the risk of food getting stuck or damaging braces.
What to Do About Swollen Gums
When gum swelling occurs with braces, intensifying oral hygiene efforts is often the first step. Continue with diligent brushing and flossing, paying extra attention to the affected areas. Rinsing the mouth several times a day with warm saltwater can help soothe inflamed gums and reduce swelling due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Applying orthodontic wax over any brackets or wires causing direct irritation can also provide relief. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may help alleviate discomfort and swelling.
If gum swelling persists for more than a few days, worsens, or is accompanied by significant pain, bleeding, or unusual discharge like pus, it is important to seek professional help. These symptoms could indicate an infection or a more advanced gum condition that requires intervention from an orthodontist or dentist. The dental professional can assess the cause of the swelling, adjust the braces if they are contributing to irritation, or recommend deeper cleaning procedures. In some cases, severe gum overgrowth, known as gingival hyperplasia, may require specific treatment such as laser removal of excess tissue.