When you first got braces, you might not have given much thought to how they could affect your gums. After all, they are intended for the teeth, not the pink tissue that supports them. Now, though, you might have noticed that your gums are a little sore or puffy. In many cases, this is nothing to worry about. In other instances, it indicates a need for professional treatment. This blog post discusses some possible causes of swollen gums with braces in Newington and what you can do to address the issue.
Causes of Swollen Gums with Braces
There are a few possible causes of swollen gums with braces:
- Tooth movements. As your teeth move, they apply pressure to the gums, which naturally results in some inflammation. For most people, this is a minor issue.
- Missteps in oral hygiene. Braces require that you spend a bit of extra time cleaning your mouth. If you accidentally do not clean along your gumline, bacteria might sneak into the gums and cause swelling and inflammation. This type of swelling can indicate gum disease, which requires professional treatment to address.
- Underlying health conditions. Diabetes and other health conditions can adversely affect various bodily functions, resulting in an increased risk of inflammation.
- Gingival hyperplasia. This condition causes the gums to actually grow (rather than just swell). It can occur as a response to plaque and bacterial buildup in/on the gum tissue.
What You Can Do
Give your dentist a call. Describe how your gums feel, the intensity of the problem, and approximately when it started. Depending on what you say, your dentist might give you advice for at-home care, or they may urge you to come in for an appointment as soon as possible. Some possible solutions for swollen gums include:
- Rinsing with saltwater. This can help to soothe inflammation that results from tooth movements.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications may reduce swelling to an extent.
- Adjustments to oral hygiene. Your dentist or hygienist can help you to adapt to a new oral hygiene routine that keeps your gums and teeth clean and relatively free of harmful bacteria.
- Gum disease therapy. There are various types of gum disease therapy, ranging from antibiotics to a deep cleaning of the mouth to surgery.
- Health management. Your general physician may be able to help you manage any medical conditions that contribute to swollen gums.
- Gum recontouring. This is a minimally invasive surgery that removes excess gum tissue in Newington. If you are interested in it, your dentist may advise you to wait until after your braces are removed.
Are you concerned about swollen gums with braces? Hopefully, your dentist will be able to offer a simple and conservative solution.
Meet the Practice
Family Dental Practice of Newington is a full-service dental office that features a large team of experts. Braces and gum disease therapy are among the many services that we offer. If you are concerned about swollen gums or have other oral health concerns, give us a call at 860-856-6201. We look forward to serving you!