Orthodontist Questions Orthodontist

Do braces cause gum inflammation?

I am a 17 year old female and I wear braces. Do braces cause gum inflammation?

9 Answers

No, poor brushing does.
Braces are difficult to clean properly and oral hygiene is a priority to prevent gum inflammation. Trapped bacteria and poor diet (sugar) causes gum inflammation. Sometimes it is allergies and medication that are the cause, but extra care with the use of water pic, oral rinses, special floss and brushes will usually clear up inflammation. You do not want this to occur regardless of wearing braces, your orthodontist or dentist will help you resolve this unfortunate problem. Healthy gums do not bleed or swell.
Braces do not cause gum inflammation. It is more difficult to keep your teeth clean with braces on. Not being able to keep your teeth clean can lead to gum inflammation. Please consult your orthodontist on how to properly care for your teeth while wearing braces.
Inflammation of your gum is caused by the accumulation of plaque (food and bacteria). That’s why it is important to brush correctly and for a longer duration. You must also floss regularly to eliminate plaque that can be trapped around the braces. Maintaining your regular dental cleanings every 3-6 months will also help to prevent gum inflammation during braces.
Braces do not cause gum inflammation, unless if they are touching the gums, in which case, some gum inflammation will occur. However, if you do not brush thoroughly and keep your teeth, braces, and/or appliances clean, the food that braces and appliances trap will stay on your teeth and cause plaque formation. Plaque is full of bacteria that release acids that will cause gum inflammation and eventually periodontal disease. This inflammation of the gums, causes the gums to swell and get closer to the braces/appliances and thus trap more food, causing more plaque, more inflammation. Thus a vicious circle of food to plaque to gum inflammation gets started. But, if you brush and floss your teeth and keep your braces and or appliances clean, you should not get plaque and gum inflammation from braces. So good luck with your braces and keep them clean!

Daniel A. Flores, DDS, MS
Yes, you need to floss better and the inflammation will decrease.
Usually orthodontic appliances (braces) make it more challenging to properly brush and floss. This can lead to gum inflammation (gingivitis). This is very, very common. There are special tools that can make it easier to floss and also mouth rinses can help. In very rare cases people can have an allergy or sensitivity to nickel which can cause irritation and redness of the gums. If you are taking good care of you teeth I would recommend having a conversation with the orthodontist about your concerns. 

Marc D. Thomas, DDS

Braces are on the teeth so they do not directly cause gum inflammation; however, if you do not brush well around the brackets there can be a build-up of plaque and food debris which will cause gum inflammation and even discoloration or cavities, so please brush (and use a fluoride rinse) well!!!! Sometimes the gums can bunch up while the teeth move and this 'inflammation' will reverse with treatment time.
Braces themselves do not typically cause the gums to be inflamed. In rare occasions there might be adverse reactions to the metal used in the bands and brackets used for orthodontic treatment. Poor hygiene and general lack of maintenance can cause gums to be very puffy and inflamed, causing them to bleed easily. Brushing and flossing become very difficult tasks while in active ortho treatment and require extra attention.