Getting your dream smile is just one of the many benefits that braces can help you to achieve. However, getting any type of braces will require that you change some of your oral hygiene habits and some of the food you eat and your habits to avoid issues like broken brackets or worse infected gums.
Are Braces The Cause of Infected Gums?
While braces aren’t the direct cause of infected gums, they can be key players in their formation. Braces add elements to the teeth’ surface from the metal or ceramic bracket and can make it hard to get in between teeth because of the wires that hold them together. These factors make it difficult to remove plaque. This plaque and any buildup of food can cause the gums to become infected, leaving your gums irritated and swollen.
Oral Hygiene Habits
To avoid infected gums with braces, follow these:
- Use a soft toothbrush to daily clean your teeth.
- Massage your gums gently with a soft-bristled brush.
- Floss after each meal and gently brush.
- Rinse your mouth using a fluoride mouth wash or salt water.
Lifestyle Habits
In addition to keeping up with the above oral hygiene habits, some lifestyle habits such as diet and smoking or using tobacco products may need to be changed and/or avoided. These include:
- Eating hard or crunchy foods can lead to gum irritation and even injury. Try avoiding hard food and opting for softer foods
- Avoid cigarettes or using other tobacco products.
Pain Management
Although proper oral hygiene and lifestyle changes can help reduce and even get rid of infected gums, you may need some immediate pain management techniques:
- Apply an ice pack to the affected area.
- Drinking cold water can also help to reduce some swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain medication and anti-inflammatory medicine can be taken to reduce gum irritation.
- Plus, you can use topical anesthetics for fast pain relief.
If you are still not seeing any reduction of swelling and/or irritation in your gums, contact Brenham Family Dental and Orthodontics. For an appointment, call us at 979-421-9685.