New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
When you first got braces placed on your teeth, you may not have given a lot of thought to how they could affect your gums. After all, they only touch the teeth, not the pink tissue that supports them. Now, though, you might have noticed that your gums are a little puffy, sore, or enlarged. In many cases, this issue is nothing to worry about. In other instances, it points to the need for professional treatment. This blog post discusses some possible causes of swollen gums with braces in New Haven and provides guidance on what you can do to address them.
Causes of Swollen Gums with Braces
Some possible causes of swollen gums with braces include:
- Tooth movements. As your teeth slowly shift toward their proper positions, they apply pressure to the gums, which results in some natural inflammation. For most people, this is a minor issue that is easy to tolerate.
- Mistakes in oral hygiene. Braces require you to devote a little extra time to cleaning your mouth. If you accidentally forget to clean along your gumline, bacteria could sneak beneath the tissue and contribute to inflammation and swelling. This type of swelling is often related to gum disease, which requires professional care.
- Underlying health conditions. Diabetes and a number of other health conditions can adversely affect various bodily functions, resulting in an increased risk of inflammation in the gums and other tissues.
- Gingival hyperplasia. This rare condition causes the gums to grow (rather than just swell). It may occur as a response to bacterial buildup in/on the gum tissue.
What You Can Do
Call your dentist. Let them know how your gums feel, how severe the problem is, and approximately when it began. Depending on your description, your dentist may offer some advice for at-home care. It is also possible that they will encourage you to come in for an appointment as soon as possible.
Some possible ways to address swollen gums include:
- Rinsing your mouth with salt water. This can reduce inflammation that results from tooth movements.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications. Ibuprofen and similar medications can help to reduce swelling to an extent, although they cannot address its root cause.
- Changes to your oral hygiene routine. Your hygienist or dentist may give you personalized advice on how to maintain a clean, infection-free mouth.
- Gum disease treatment. There are multiple types of gum disease therapy, ranging from antibiotic medications to surgery.
- Overall health management. Your primary care practitioner may be able to help you control any medical conditions that are contributing to swollen gums.
- Gum recontouring. If you develop gingival hyperplasia, you may need gum recontouring. This minimally invasive surgery removes excess gum tissue in New Haven.
Are you struggling with swollen gums? Your dentist can help you find a solution to this annoying problem.
Meet the Practice
The large team of dentists and specialists at New Haven Dental Group have many decades of combined experience. They offer traditional braces, treatment for gum problems, and more. To learn how they may be able to serve you, contact us at 203-712-4068.