Many patients experience gum disease gingivitis with braces. It is not uncommon for a patient who wears braces to suffer from inflamed gums. Read on to find more information about the gingival infection.
Many patients experience the gum disease gingivitis with braces. It is not uncommon for a patient who wears braces to suffer from inflamed gums. Read on to find more information about the gingival infection.
The relationship between braces and gingivitis
Braces or invisible aligners can work wonders in the straightening of your teeth. Straighter teeth would give a person more self-confidence and the perfect smile. However, this may come at a price, because if you do not practice good oral hygiene, having braces can cause many oral problems, this includes the dreaded gum disease gingivitis.
The accumulation of plaque can be more serious consequences on the oral health of people who are wearing braces rather than those who aren’t. This is because it is more difficult to make sure that no food particles get stuck in between the brackets and the teeth. Braces sometimes have the knack of pushing small food particles into the brackets when a person bites into food. Most of these particles will get washed off after brushing or when a liquid comes into contact with them, but there is a chance that small particles can still get left behind in the little spaces between your gums, teeth and in between the brackets themselves. Bacteria will live and breed in these small particles, causing plaque, which will, in turn, cause gingivitis.
Gingivitis is the immune reaction of the gums to stop the bacterial infection from spreading. In most cases, the gums of people wearing braces will already be inflamed. This would make it easier for bacteria to irritate and infect the gums.
How to treat gingivitis.
Use an antibacterial toothpaste. A toothpaste that helps fight bad bacteria will be a good solution to the bacteria that is growing on the food particles that are left in the middle of the brackets and teeth, as well as in the gums.
Practice good oral health habits. This is a good solution for any oral health problem. Brushing at least twice a day for at least two minutes would prevent bacteria from building up inside the mouth. Brush the inside part of the teeth as well, to make sure that any debris from your last meal would get washed out. Flossing and removing any food stuck in between teeth would be a good solution to stop any plaque from forming. You can also try using a water flosser.
Use an antibacterial mouthwash. After brushing and flossing, the use of an antibacterial mouthwash would wash away any of the remaining bacteria that stand a chance in causing gingivitis.
If you are wearing braces, you have an increased risk of getting gingivitis if you do not practice good oral health habits. Gingivitis with braces is not something to cause the end of the world. Visit your dentist regularly so that they can monitor the health f your teeth and gums. If you fear that you might have gingivitis, even if you are not wearing braces, visit your dentist and they will tell you if you have the disease or not. They will also inform you about the treatment options that are available to you. If you do not have the disease, remember that prevention is better than cure. Flossing and brushing to make sure that no food particles would be stuck in between your teeth would be a surefire way to prevent gingivitis.