Swollen Gums with Braces: Causes and Treatments

When wearing dental braces for the first time, you may have found that your gums appear red, swollen and inflamed.

This can often happen as braces slowly adjust and move your teeth over time.

However, it can be a cause for concern if your gums show signs of conditions such as gingivitis.

In this article, you will discover the most common causes of swollen gums with braces and preventative treatments to make wearing braces more bearable.

What Causes Swollen Gums with Braces?

There are several reasons why your gums may have become swollen. Here are some typical signs of swollen gums with braces:

• • Teeth movement. During the process of your orthodontic treatment, it may not be visible that your teeth are moving. However, the gradual constant pressure that is applied to your braces after having them tightened during your orthodontist appointments can cause changes around your gums and jawbone. Gum swelling and pain are common side effects of wearing braces for the first time. Braces will frequently need to be adjusted, usually once a month, which may cause further discomfort to your gums.

• • Gingivitis. Braces can often create small spaces around your teeth, as they are constantly moving. Food and dental plaque can become easily trapped in these spaces, causing bacteria to grow and induce inflammation. Braces themselves can make it tricky to clean teeth, making it harder for your toothbrush to reach certain areas of your teeth. This obstruction can lead to the development of plaque build-up, gingivitis, or swollen gums. Gingivitis is commonly known as the first stage of gum disease where gums resultantly appear red and swollen and could potentially bleed more easily.

• Gingival Enlargement. Gingival Enlargement is also known as gingival hyperplasia or hypertrophy and is a result of an overgrowth of gum tissue around the teeth. This can be triggered by certain medications or rare hereditary conditions as a response to the plaque that piles up around the teeth. Symptoms of gingival enlargement can make the gums feel soft and tender, whilst simultaneously inducing pain.

How to Treat Swollen Gums When Wearing Braces?

Fortunately, there are different methods to reduce swollen gums by implementing effective oral hygiene and home remedies that you can use straight away. Here are several ways to relieve swollen gums:

• • Brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth is imperative to practising good oral hygiene and reducing your risk of swelling. Brushing your teeth for at least two minutes in both the morning and evening is sufficient. However, we do advise brushing furthermore if gums are severely swollen. We recommend brushing with an electric toothbrush to help reach difficult areas such as around brace brackets and the back of the teeth.

• • Avoid eating tough foods. Abstaining from eating tough foods which are hard to chew and can easily get trapped in between your braces can help reduce plaque build-up and swelling. Tough foods to avoid are as follows: steak, corn on the cob, sweets, and popcorn. For more information, check out our guide on what to eat with braces.

• • Rinsing. Regularly rinse your mouth daily with water or an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing your teeth. If swelling persists, home remedies such as rinsing with a half teaspoon of warm salt water, several times a day, can be a quick solution to healing inflammation.

• Flossing. Flossing in between your teeth daily is another way of removing plaque build-up and irritation. We recommend using waxed floss to prevent the floss from tearing and catching onto your brace brackets.

Final Advice

When wearing braces, it is normal to expect discomfort and soreness. By using the above-recommended methods in your daily routine, you can achieve healthy oral hygiene and eliminate the risk of gum disease.

However, it is important to pay attention to signs of continuous or severe symptoms of swollen gums. If you have braces and are experiencing persistent swelling, contact us today and book a free online consultation. Or simply give us a call on 020 3811 7625.

Our team of trained professionals can provide you with high-quality services to support you during your journey of wearing braces.