How to Get Healthy Gums with Braces – Useful Tips for Keeping Your Gums Healthy
When people think of oral health, they generally think of the teeth, and rightly so. Having a set of healthy teeth is of course vital when it comes to oral health and hygiene, but we can’t overlook the importance of healthy gums as well.
Good oral health and hygiene is all about achieving a synergy between healthy teeth and healthy gums, yet achieving this is much easier said than done, especially if you happen to wear braces. Braces may be beneficial for straightening the teeth, but they can make it tougher to maintain healthy gums, which is what we’re looking at today.
Braces are designed to put extra pressure upon the teeth in order to straighten them and keep them in place. In order to withstand this pressure, the teeth, but also the gums, need to be nice and strong.
If you have braces and want to keep your gums healthy then this article is for you as we’ll be looking at how to get healthy gums with braces.
How to get healthy gums with braces
As mentioned, healthy gums are just as important as healthy teeth, yet looking after the gums can be tricky, especially if you wear braces.
To help ensure your gums remain strong and healthy, here’s a look at several things you can do to keep the gums strong and healthy.
Brush your teeth regularly
In order to help ensure that the gums remain as healthy as the teeth, one thing you can, and should do, is brush your teeth regularly.
To begin with, brushing is an important part of a healthy oral hygiene plan anyway, but as well as that, brushing is also important for keeping the gums healthy if you wear braces. You see, when you eat your food, food particles can become trapped under the wires of the braces where, overtime, they could allow bacteria to breed and accumulate.
If allowed to build up, this bacteria can lead to infections in and around the gums. Brushing regularly ensures there is no food, which means that no bacteria can build up.
Floss daily
For the same reasons as you should brush your teeth, so too should you floss daily to help ensure your teeth and gums remain strong and healthy.
Use mouthwash
Mouthwash contains anti-bacterial ingredients which help to sterilize your mouth and help ensure that bacteria can’t breed and build up in your mouth.
Mouthwash also helps to rinse away any food particles which have been dislodged during brushing and flossing.
Avoid foods which damage the braces
If your braces are damaged this will jeopardize their integrity and could result in them becoming damaged or broken, which in turn could cause them to damage the inside of your mouth.
Avoid eating overly sticky foods such as toffee, or very crunchy foods as they could damage your braces. Despite an apple a day keeping the doctor away, eating an apple with braces in may bring you closer to your dentist so be wary when eating whole apples and similar foods.
Have your teeth cleaned and maintained by professionals
Finally, if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, make sure you visit the dentist regularly and have professional cleaning treatments carried out.
A professional examination will tell you the condition of your teeth and gums and if there are problems, your dentist can carry out the necessary treatments and advise you on which steps to take next.
In terms of how to get healthy gums with braces, visiting your dentist regularly is vital, even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your teeth or gums.
Do braces ruin your gums?
No, braces do not ruin your gums.
Braces apply pressure to the teeth and gums and they can cause changes to occur within the mouth, specifically with the jawbone and the gums. Usually, they will become a little tender and slightly inflamed, though this is normal.
Do gums go back to normal after braces?
Yes. Providing your swollen gums have been caused due to movement of the teeth, after the braces have been removed, your gums will slowly return to normal and any swelling or tenderness will wear off.
How do you get rid of inflamed gums with braces?
If your gums are swollen and inflamed due to your braces, anti-inflammatory medications and over-the-counter painkillers can work very well.
You should also avoid chewy and tough foods, and carefully dislodge and remove any food particles which may be stuck between the teeth.
Book your appointment now
If you’re concerned about your gums, are having issues with your braces, or simply want to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, make sure you book an appointment with us today!
Here at Nedlands Dental we offer a wide range of dental services and treatments, with prices to suit all budgets. As far as how to get healthy gums with braces, pick up the phone and contact us now and we’ll have your teeth and/or gums right in no time at all.
