Key Points

  • Swollen gums often present as redness, puffiness, bleeding, tenderness, and pain, especially when brushing or eating
  • Puffy gums can be triggered by poor oral hygiene, plaque buildup, irritation from braces, changes in oral pH, dietary habits, over-tightened wires, or brushing too aggressively
  • Braces make it harder to clean the teeth and gums, leading to plaque buildup that can irritate the gums and cause inflammation
  • Solutions include maintaining good oral hygiene, using orthodontic wax to cover sharp brackets, rinsing with warm salt water, applying ice or cold compresses, drinking plenty of water, and visiting the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings
  • Proper brushing, flossing, and using a water flosser or super floss can help prevent plaque buildup and minimize irritation. Regular dental visits are also key to keeping gums healthy
  • If swelling, bleeding, or pain persists, it could be a sign of gingivitis, periodontitis, or an infection
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation

Swollen gums are a common issue caused by traditional braces. This fact doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable and frustrating. There are, however, simple steps you can take to manage and prevent swollen gums so you can keep your teeth, gums, and smile healthy throughout the duration of your orthodontic treatment. Let’s explore the causes of swollen gums with braces and look at some practical tips that can help you find relief.

Symptoms of Puffy Gums with Braces

Swollen gums with braces can occur for several reasons.[1] The symptoms of swollen gums often include:

  • Redness: Healthy gums are pink and firm. When they’re swollen, they may appear red or even purple. These colors indicate the gums are inflamed. This can be caused by plaque buildup around the braces brackets, which triggers an immune response from your body.
  • Swelling: Your gums may feel puffy or enlarged. The swelling is a direct response to irritation, which can result from poor oral hygiene or mechanical irritation from your braces.
  • Bleeding: You might notice blood on your toothbrush, floss, or around your gums after brushing or flossing. Your gums may also bleed when you eat rough foods, like raw vegetables or crunchy snacks. Swollen gums are tender and more prone to bleeding, especially when they’re not used to being brushed or flossed thoroughly due to food or plaque buildup.
  • Tenderness or pain: Swollen gums can be very tender to the touch or when pressure is applied. You may feel pain when brushing, flossing, chewing, or even talking. Your gums can become sore because they’re being irritated constantly by the metal brackets, wires, or bands, and when they’re swollen, they become more sensitive.
  • Gum recession: In more severe cases, you might notice that your gums are pulling away from your teeth. This exposes more of the surface of the tooth or, in very advanced cases, the root of the tooth. Prolonged inflammation or gum disease, like gingivitis, can weaken the attachment between the gums and teeth.

Causes of Puffy Gums with Braces

There are many ways your gums can become puffy due to your braces.[2] One or more of these causes might be affecting you.

  • Poor oral hygiene: Braces create additional surfaces where food particles and plaque can get trapped, making it harder to clean your teeth and gums. Plaque buildup on the gums can lead to gingivitis, which causes them to swell and become puffy.
  • Plaque buildup and gingivitis: When plaque is not removed properly, the bacteria it contains irritate the gums, leading to inflammation, redness, and swelling. This may result in gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease and is very common in people with braces.[3]
  • Irritation from braces: The brackets, wires, and bands of braces can rub against your gums, causing localized irritation, which leads to swelling and puffiness. This irritation tends to be the most severe when the braces are first put on or after adjustments.
  • Changes in oral pH: The presence of braces can alter the balance of your oral environment. The way your mouth processes food, as well as the flow of saliva, can be affected by the wires and brackets. This promotes bacterial growth in hard-to-reach places, leading to gum irritation.
  • Dietary habits: Eating sticky, sugary, or starchy foods can contribute to plaque buildup around the braces. Sticky foods can be an even bigger issue because they cling to the brackets and wires. This makes it harder to clean them off.
  • Over-tightened wires: If the orthodontic wires of your braces are too tight or the brackets aren’t adjusted well, they can exert extra pressure on your gums. This may result in inflammation and swelling.
  • Brushing too aggressively: Brushing too hard with a hard-bristled toothbrush can irritate your gums, which leads to further swelling, inflammation, and possible gum recession.

How to Relieve Swollen Gums from Braces

Relieving swollen gums that are caused by your braces requires a combination of good oral hygiene practices, soothing remedies, and addressing the underlying causes of the swelling.[4] To manage and relieve swollen gums when you’re wearing braces, try these methods out first.

  • Maintain good oral hygiene: The first step to managing swollen gums is to keep your teeth and braces clean. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash to clean out food particles multiple times per day.
  • Use orthodontic wax: If your braces are causing irritation or rubbing against your gums, use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp edges of the brackets. This can help protect the gums from mechanical irritation and reduce swelling. Just apply the wax over the brackets that are hurting you.
  • Rinse with warm salt water: Rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution can help reduce inflammation and soothe irritated gums. Saltwater is also a natural disinfectant, so it helps reduce the bacteria levels in your mouth.
  • Ice or cold compress: Applying a cold compress or sucking on ice chips can help numb your gums and reduce inflammation. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, which can reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  • Water: Drinking plenty of water helps flush away food particles and bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of further irritation. Try to avoid sugary drinks like soda, as these can contribute to plaque buildup and gum inflammation. Water is always going to be your best option for oral health.
  • Regular dental checkups: Regular checkups with your dentist and orthodontist are crucial while wearing braces. They can monitor your gum health, perform professional cleanings, and adjust your braces if necessary to prevent irritation and swelling. If your swollen gums persist despite at-home care, your dentist or orthodontist may have more solutions, like adjusting the fit of your braces or providing stronger treatments for your gum inflammation.

A Reason to Smile

Dental health is about more than just the appearance of your smile, though that’s certainly important. It’s also about living your best life and feeling confident without pain or discomfort. At Kunik Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping you achieve that. Connect with our team today to learn more about treatment or schedule a complimentary consultation.

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