When your gums are healthy, they are able to properly anchor your teeth. If they’re inflamed, irritated, and/or infected, they can cause issues like bad breath, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Before we start straightening misalignment with braces, we want to first make sure your gums are healthy and supportive!
Why Are Healthy Gums Important for Braces?
Braces move your teeth and put pressure on your gums, so both need to be in good shape before orthodontic treatment. That means any tooth decay and gum disease should be addressed before getting braces. Once you get braces, you may experience some temporary swelling and tenderness. Healthy gums should recover quickly.
What Do Healthy Gums Look Like?
Healthy gums are firm and tight around your teeth. They’re usually a pink color, though there’s some variation. They shouldn’t be red, swollen, or tender. Healthy gums also don’t bleed when you floss or brush your teeth.
How to Keep Your Gums Healthy with Braces
We understand it can feel challenging to keep your teeth and gums healthy while you wear braces. The brackets and wires are tricky to clean around. Your oral care will take longer and require more patience, but if you neglect brushing and flossing, you’ll deal with more cavities and gum disease. You can protect your gum health with consistent oral hygiene at home and regular cleanings at our office.
You should brush your teeth after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You may need to replace your brush more frequently as braces will wear down the bristles faster. You should also floss at least once a day. A floss threader or orthodontic floss lets you get behind the wires.
Braces at River Stone Dental Center in Germantown, MD
Traditional braces are a great way to straighten even the most severe misalignment. If you have healthy gums, you’ll most likely be a good candidate! We also offer clear aligner therapy. If you have questions about your oral hygiene or want to book a consultation with our team, please reach out to us today!
