How do I treat my swollen gums?… by R
I have braces so brushing is not very effective anymore, and my gums are all swollen up. However, I floss (like the orthodontist told me to) and soak my mouth with peroxide (I heard it helps to get rid of bacteria), but my gums are still swollen.
Any advice?
Best Answer:
Did the orthodontist give you any proxabrushes? They look like little Christmas tree shaped bristles. These work great to get all the plaque out from around the brackets. Also using an electric toothbrush (like a Sonicare) helps massage the gums and remove plaque. Some of the inflammation could be from moving the teeth, if you had a lot of spacing and the teeth are moving closer. But usually it comes down to not removing all the bacteria. Ortho requires meticulous oral hygiene. I am sure I dont hae to tell you that all kinds of stuff gets caught around the brackets!!
I wouldnt rinse with peroxide for very long, long term usage can actually harm the tissue. Instead ask your dentist or orthodontist if they can give you a RX fro PerioGard, or if they have it available to purchase in office. This rinse kills bacteria better than any over the counter rinse. If you dont want to use that rinse try Breath Rx rinse or the new Crest Pro Health rinse. I would stay away from Listerine because it contains a lot of alcohol which actually dries the tissue.
Interested if you are experiencing a lot of bleeding along with the swollen gums. This is the telltale sign that it is due to bacteria and plaque more than movement of the teeth.
Key is brush, floss, proxabrush, rinse. Also try a waterpik that flushes bacteria and debris from around the brackets and gums.
Good Luck, remember it will be over eventually and then you will appreciate how much easier it is to clean your teeth without all that stuff!!
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