I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
While most children get through getting braces without any problems, others do have blips along the way. If your daughter suddenly announces that her gums have become red and sore after she's worn braces for a while, then you need to work out why. Sometimes, this is down to the braces; other times there may a different cause. How can you work out what is happening?
Hormonal Issues
The age and life-stage of your daughter may play a part in her gum inflammation. For example, if your daughter is going through puberty or is about to start her period, then hormonal changes may be making her gums inflamed. As well as looking red, her gums may also bleed easily. If this is period-related, then the inflammation should pass in a few days; however, she may have to put up with it every month.
Cleaning Problems
Braces may sit on the teeth rather than the gums; however, they do sometimes affect general oral health. They make it harder for kids to clean their teeth and gums. Sometimes, kids brush their teeth for less time and more gingerly when they wear braces because they worry about damaging the wires. Some don't do as good a job on their gums as they should because they get bored after taking extra time to clean their teeth properly.
If your daughter isn't cleaning her gum line and gums correctly, then this may explain why her gums are inflamed. Typically, a few days of intensive brushing that includes the gums will sort the problem out.
Brace Irritation
Some children's gums become over sensitive to braces. If the braces irritate the gums, then they may trigger conditions like gingival enlargements. If this happens, the gums swell or even grow. If your daughter's gums don't just look inflamed but look like they have changed shape or grown, then this may be the problem.
Even if your daughter's gums go back to normal in the short-term, it's important to mention the inflammation at your next orthodontic appointment. Your orthodontist will check that your daughter is cleaning her teeth and gums correctly; they can also give her tips on how to keep inflammation at bay.
If you think that your daughter may have a gingival enlargement problem, then call your orthodontist to see if you need to make an extra appointment. These enlargements may settle down after her braces are removed; however, your orthodontist will want to keep a close eye on her gums for the rest of the treatment.
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