According to market research published on Fortune Business Insights, the number of people straightening their teeth has grown from 0.8 million in 1994 to over 4 million in 2018. What’s more, a research study published in 2020 shows that the prevalence of orthodontic treatment has reached over 20% in the United States.
While the increase in the demand for teeth straightening may be attributed to the improvements in the methods used by orthodontists today, some people are still suffering from the side effects of orthodontic treatment. One of the major side effects associated with teeth straightening is swollen gums.
This side effect is common when dental braces are new or when they are being adjusted. In this detailed guide, we will take a deeper look at the leading causes of swollen gums when wearing dental braces. We will also show you the solutions you can use – and the preventative measures you can take – to avoid gum swelling when straightening your teeth.
Causes of Swollen Gums When Wearing Dental Braces
1. Poor Oral Health
Dental braces can make oral maintenance harder. What’s more, food and dental plaque tends to stick to the dental braces more easily.
Bacteria can grow on the plaque. The bacteria can induce gum inflammation, causing a condition known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is one of the leading causes of swollen gums.
2. Teeth Movement
Teeth straightening is a significant task. To fix your misaligned or crooked teeth, the dental braces will have to move your teeth. Although you cannot see the teeth moving, the dental braces apply a steady and constant pressure that causes changes to occur in your jaw bone, and gums.
Gum swelling is common when people get dental braces for the very first time. Dental braces are often adjusted frequently – generally, once every 30 days – which tends to cause some gum discomfort.
It is worth noting that the gum discomfort is normal and expected. Flossing and brushing your teeth regularly may help you reduce gum soreness.
3. Gingivitis
A research study published in 2014 determined that the prevalence of plaque-induced gingivitis was 100% among adults between the ages of 18 and 40 years. Gingivitis, however, may have more significant effects on people wearing dental braces – this is in part because dental braces can make teeth cleaning harder.
As dental braces move your teeth, tiny spaces may open – these spaces appear between the teeth. Dental plaque and food may find their way into the new spaces – this, in turn, creates a nice environment for bacteria to grow. With time, the bacteria will induce inflammation.
If your dental braces are making brushing and flossing harder, plaque may build-up, and, in the long run, it may cause gingivitis and swollen gums. Gum swelling caused by gingivitis and plaque buildup should be addressed immediately and treated by a dental expert.
4. Gingival Hyperplasia
Also known as gingival enlargement or hypertrophy, gingival hyperplasia is a condition characterized by the overgrowth of gum tissue around the teeth.
Occasionally, gum irritation and plaque buildup caused by the dental braces can trigger gingival hyperplasia. When caused by dental braces, gingival hyperplasia reduces with more effective dental hygiene habits.
For most people, gingival overgrowth subsides 6 to 8 weeks after the orthodontist removes the dental braces. In some rare cases, however, the overgrown gum can become fibrotic and require surgical removal.
Tips on How to Avoid Swollen Gums with Dental Braces
When wearing dental braces, it is usually hard to completely evade gum swelling. However, with proper dental hygiene, you can make the gums healthier and reduce the frequency – and severeness – of the swellings. Good oral maintenance routines also reduce the chances of suffering gingivitis and periodontitis.
Periodontitis, which is also known as periodontal disease, is a more advanced form of gum disease. A research study published in 2017 reported that this condition affects 20% to 50% of the global population.
While cleaning your teeth can be hard when wearing dental braces, you can take advantage of the following tips:
Use an electric toothbrush featuring soft bristles.
Take advantage of an orthodontic floss threader that makes it much easier for you to clean under the gumline and between your teeth.
After brushing, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial rinsing liquid. Use an oral product with fluoride to rinse your mouth.
Additionally, avoid consuming foods that get trapped in your dental braces. Some of the foods you may need to avoid include:
Popcorn
Hard candy
Corn on the cob
Steak
Home Remedies to Swollen Gums with Dental Braces
If you find yourself with gum tenderness at home, the following tips can help you deal with the problem:
To soothe the swollen gums, rinse several times with warm saltwater. Do this daily.
Refrain from consuming hard-to-chew foods when you have swollen gums.
Consider taking an anti-inflammatory medication that reduces both pain and swelling. You can find an over-the-counter option.
Floss between your teeth. This should help you reduce gum inflammation.
Seeking Treatment for Swollen Gums
If gingivitis is the cause of your swollen gums, seeing a dentist for regular professional teeth cleaning and checkups will help. However, remember that professional cleaning will not replace at-home dental care.
If your gums are overly painful and extremely swollen, visit your orthodontist or dentist immediately. If the cause is an advanced case of gingival hyperplasia that is not responding to home remedies, your orthodontist may need to remove the diseased or irritated gum tissue. This is generally done with a laser.
Better Than Dental Braces: Use Invisible Teeth Aligners to Straighten Your Teeth
Although both dental braces and invisible teeth aligners do have the ability to fix crooked teeth, transparent teeth aligners carry more benefits.
For starters, invisible teeth aligners are not as traumatizing to the jaw as dental braces. This means that transparent teeth aligners do not cause as much gum swelling as dental braces.
What’s more, you do not have to wear invisible teeth aligners all the time. You only need to wear the transparent teeth aligners for 20 hours every day. When you remove the invisible teeth aligners, you get to clean all sections of the teeth, removing all the plaque that often causes gum swelling.
Dental braces often attract a lot of unnecessary attention. Just like the name suggests, invisible teeth aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without making you the center of attention every time you smile in public.
If you would like a solution that straightens your teeth without impacting your oral health negatively, the orthodontists at Straight Teeth Invisible can help you. All you have to do is book your FREE e-consultation today.
Straight Teeth Invisible will help you prepare for the invisible teeth aligners. Before installing the aligners, the orthodontists at Straight Teeth Invisible will help you understand how transparent teeth aligners work.
Straight Teeth Invisible won’t disappear after installing the invisible teeth aligners. The professional orthodontists will work with you to ensure maximum benefits from the orthodontic treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Besides gingivitis and dental braces, what are the other causes of swollen gums?
Swollen gums have several causes, including:
Pregnancy – The rush of pregnancy hormones can cause more blood to flow to the gums. The increased blood flow may increase gum irritation, leading to swelling.
Malnutrition – Vitamin deficiency – especially vitamin B and vitamin C – can cause gum swelling.
Infection – Viral and fungal infections can cause gum swelling.
Do veneers cause gum swelling?
If your veneer is too deep under your gumline or too thick, it may cause swelling and irritation. If left untreated, the irritation may become chronic.
How long does it take to get used to dental braces?
Most people get used to dental braces in about 30 days. After 6 months, most people do not even notice them. However, some people do experience some soreness from time to time. This soreness is normal and does not require a lot of time to resolve.
Does the tightening of dental braces cause a lot of pain?
Dental braces tightening can cause soreness and pain. However, the discomfort is generally not as bad as when you first got the dental braces installed. After a couple of days, you will be used to the new increased pressure on the teeth. Over-the-counter pain medications can help you deal with the pain that results from the tightening of dental braces.
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