Keep confident about the smile that you share with your Sugar Hill neighbors.

Swollen, red, and tender gums are commonly experienced by most people who are in the midst of orthodontic treatment. The gums are more likely to swell during orthodontics and controlling the problem can present a bit of a challenge for even the most diligent dental patient. For some patients, the condition is limited to a mild case of gingivitis which will go away when the braces are removed. For other patients, the gums can become permanently overgrown due to years of chronic inflammation. No matter the degree of swelling, it’s important to address the issue early on to ensure that you’re confident about the smile that you share with your Sugar Hill neighbors.

Properly accessing all areas of the mouth when braces are involved certainly isn’t easy, and that means that plaque bacteria have a greater opportunity to irritate the gum tissue. As layers of plaque become mature in the crevices in and around the braces, the gums can become more and more inflamed—swelling and bleeding as the body’s inflammatory reaction kicks in.

Sometimes the gums react to the proximity of the braces by swelling becoming overgrown. As the gums begin to grow closer to the braces, the issue of plaque removal becomes even more challenging.

In most instances, swollen gums can be reversed and controlled by more effective plaque control. Using floss threaders, interdental brushes, electric toothbrushes, and water irrigators work well to remove plaque and food debris as well as stimulate the gum tissue. Additional oral hygiene advice and instructions are provided during the regularly scheduled dental examinations.

The health and appearance of the gum tissue is just as important as the teeth when it comes to a nice-looking smile. At the conclusion of any orthodontic procedure, it is important to consider the condition of the gums. Typically, swollen gum tissue will be resolved after the braces are removed. If the tissue does not shrink down to size once the orthodontic treatment has been completed, the gums can be treated and reshaped to look more natural.

For help in protecting the health of your gums when you have braces, contact an orthodontist for an appointment today.