Will Metal Braces Cause Gum Problems or Gum Disease?

“Metal braces” or “traditional braces” are a form of orthodontic treatment available to our patients. Commonly, patients may need braces to properly correct their “bites” (overbites, underbites, etc.) or to correct any crowded or crooked teeth.

If you may have an abnormal bite, overcrowding, or crooked teeth, our orthodontist may have recommended braces to you. If you seem to be worried if metal braces would cause gum problems or gum disease, it’s important to learn about what life is like with braces!

Life with Braces:

Most importantly, life with braces doesn’t have to be a negative experience! With the right oral hygiene routine and diet, you can make sure that your teeth and mouth will maintain healthy throughout your treatment.

While having braces, it is so important that you maintain a daily at-home care routine for your teeth and braces. The truth is, braces can make it more difficult to brush and floss making it more likely for food particles and debris to become trapped between the gums or brackets. As a result, this can cause a buildup of plaque to build up on the teeth, which may lead to gingivitis or gum disease.

To try and refrain from any gum problems or gum disease, it is best that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and after any meals. This is to help eliminate the food particles and debris in the mouth and further decreasing the potential of any gum issues. You should also be sure to take the time to floss daily. While it may seem tedious, your teeth and gums will thank you for it! There is specific floss designed to floss with braces that threads through the wires making it a little bit easier to floss. If interested, talk with the orthodontist to see if you could try flossing with them. Additionally, try to rinse with a mouthwash before bedtime. This can also help to reduce the amount of bacteria in the oral cavity, decreasing any plaque buildup around the teeth or your braces.

Contact Richmond Virginia Orthodontics:

If you are concerned about braces causing gum problems or gum disease or have any additional questions, please contact us for more information! We would be more than happy to provide any answers or information to you.

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