Gums and Importance of Orthodontists
If your gums are swollen or puffy and you wear braces, it is crucial that you get them checked to be on the safe side. It is important that you understand that having swollen gums does not always mean that something is wrong. But, if you do not focus on dental hygiene, you might end up suffering from gum problems.
Most patients who visit an orthodontist tend to experience minor gum issues. In fact, it is possible that you have nothing to stress about. However, you still have to see an orthodontist as braces can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque build-up. The orthodontist is a specialist who can help you get the perfect smile. No matter how your teeth might look, you can rely on Springfield Gentle Dental to achieve a beautiful smile that turns heads.
The Relationship between Swollen Gums and Braces
Cleaning your teeth when you have fixed braces is no easy task. The procedure makes it difficult for people to keep their teeth clean which contributes to an increase in bacteria around the appliances. This can lead to gingival (gum) if you are not careful.
The thing about orthodontic treatment is that it can cause gum overgrowth and you might not even notice any clinical signs of poor oral hygiene or gingival inflammation as the tissue would push your teeth together. Now, it might even cause recession formation and a loss of gum tissue in some patients. This is normally the case when you have thin gum tissue and the teeth have been moved off from the supporting bone. The gum tissue can improve in certain situations where your teeth had been previously displaced. According to a study, it was found that around 10 o 12% of orthodontic patients tend to exhibit gingival recession.
Swollen gums must never be ignored as they can be a sign of periodontal disease. In such a situation, the soft tissue would be severely affected by bacteria and the disease could lead to gingivitis or even periodontitis which is a deeper infection that can affect your bone. Periodontitis can cause significant damage to your soft tissue and can even destroy the bone that surrounds the teeth if it is not treated. If this bone is damaged, it would no longer be able to provide your teeth with the support they need. Thus, your teeth would become loose and fall out.
Generally, poor brushing and flossing cause periodontitis. As some people have weaker resistance to bacteria, they can experience worse infection. If bacteria accumulate on your gums and teeth, inflammation would occur. During the early stages, the gums would recede away from the teeth. This would create small pockets between your teeth and gums. It is important that you do something about these small pockets as they provide more space for bacteria to accumulate. If more bacteria builds up, your immune system would have to fight harder.
The gums can become swollen and red. In fact, you might even notice that your gums bleed every time you brush or floss them. It is a sign of periodontal disease and should not be taken lightly. During the early stage of the disease, it is quite common for patients to experience some bone loss. Hence, you need to seek treatment to stop further damage. Otherwise, your gums and bone would be severely affected.
Moderate periodontal disease is where the bone that supports your teeth becomes loose and causes your teeth to also become loose. The disease tends to cause an inflammatory response in your body. If you do not take any action and allow it to spread, you would experience bad breath, pain, more bleeding, and even gum recession. It is vital that you take proper care of your teeth and gums. Otherwise, your teeth and gums would continue to get damaged due to the presence of bacteria.
Swollen Gums before Braces
The fact is that periodontal disease and swollen gums can occur before, during, or even after the orthodontic treatment is complete. Your orthodontist would look for signs to determine if you have poor oral hygiene. They would check to see if there is a build-up of plaque before fitting your braces.
If you do not look after your teeth before the braces are placed, chances are that the situation would only get worse once you get braces. The orthodontist would check to see if there are any signs of tooth movement, recession, swelling, and gum inflammation during the initial appointment. In order to check bone loss, x-rays might also be required.
If it is found that you have periodontal disease, you would either be referred to a periodontist or your dentist to get treated. It would ensure that you get the specialist care that you need. The orthodontist requires you to have healthy gums before the orthodontic treatment.
Since the braces would move your teeth, the movement would be restricted if your gums have become infected. Hence, you will have to see a periodontist or dentist regularly while seeking treatment with an orthodontist to ensure that your gums are perfectly healthy. The dentist would monitor your teeth and gums throughout the treatment and provide you with all the advice you need. This would allow you to avoid making any mistakes so that you get the results that you are looking for.
Swollen Gums during the Orthodontic Treatment
When you go for your orthodontic appointments, the orthodontist would check your gums to ensure that they are perfectly healthy. If minor gum disease or plaque build-up is identified by the therapist or the orthodontist, you would be given further instructions for brushing and flossing. For instance, you might be told to brush your teeth more to ensure that the inflammation disappears. But, you will have to brush your teeth gently as you could easily damage your gums as they are likely to be sensitive.
What Should You Do If You Have Swollen Gums?
If you are seeking orthodontic treatment and you notice puffy or swollen gums, it is crucial that you contact the orthodontist immediately and get an appointment to get your gums checked. The truth is that it is quite common for people to suffer from gum inflammation when they wear braces due to the fact that maintaining good oral hygiene can be difficult while wearing braces.
The orthodontist would carefully check the gums to determine if changes need to be made to your oral hygiene and if you are in need of further treatment. There is a possibility that you might be experiencing mild gingivitis which can be easily treated. Hence, your gums should recover in no time.
What If You Have Periodontal Disease?
Although it is quite rare, the periodontist might diagnose your swollen gums and find out that you have aggressive periodontal disease. If it is found that you are suffering from aggressive periodontal disease, your orthodontic treatment might need to be paused while you seek a specialist treatment from a periodontist. The reason behind this is that moving teeth with Invisalign or braces is not easy when your gums have issues.
Besides, you would be unable to get the results that you are looking for. Swollen and receding gums have to be thoroughly examined by an expert to find out if there is a need to clean the bacteria under the gums. In addition to this, the periodontist would also evaluate whether you have experienced any bone loss or not.
Keep Up with Your Dental Appointments
Most people fail to notice subtle periodontal disease signs such as swollen gums. It is recommended that you brush and floss your teeth twice a day or more and visit your dentist every 6 months for a professional clean and proper examination. The orthodontist would also monitor your gum health during the appointments.
If you experience any issues, you will have to get in touch with your orthodontist immediately. Only when you regularly visit the dentist would you be able to ensure that your gums and teeth are in good condition. As it is easy to make mistakes and not follow the right hygiene habits, you need to consult with a dentist regularly. In fact, you should consider visiting before 6 months or as often as possible.
Choose Springfield Gentle Dental
If you have swollen or puffy gums, it is recommended that you choose Springfield Gentle Dental as we provide a dedicated service that you can rely on. We have a team of highly experienced orthodontists who have worked with all types of clients and know how to deliver an outstanding service. You would have nothing to worry about when you turn to us as we are here to help you every step of the way. We truly care about our valued clients and provide the support they need to lead healthy and happy lives. All you need to do is give us a call to schedule an appointment with us. We would be more than delighted to assist you.