What is gum disease?
The gums are the tissues that surround your teeth and hold them in place. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is an infection of this tissue. It begins when bacteria grow in your mouth due to inadequate brushing and flossing. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to infections and even tooth loss.
Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis
Gingivitis is a condition characterized by swelling, redness, and bleeding in the gums surrounding the teeth.
When you neglect to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, a sticky film of bacteria and food, called plaque, accumulates around your teeth. This plaque releases acids that attack the outer shell of your teeth, known as enamel, leading to decay. After 72 hours, plaque hardens into tartar, forming along the gum line, making it difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. Over time, this buildup can irritate and inflame your gums, resulting in gingivitis.
Regular brushing, flossing, professional dental cleanings and routine checkups can help prevent or reverse gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease.
With periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth, forming pockets. These pockets collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gumline.
If you have periodontitis, regular dental check-ups are crucial to prevent the disease from progressing. You will also need to adjust your dental hygiene habits to achieve a positive outcome. Periodontitis can be halted if detected and treated early, and treatment is usually successful.
How common is gum disease?
Many adults experience gum disease, from the very first signs of gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. However, this disease takes time to develop; it doesn’t just happen overnight. If you’re not watching your oral health, you can have gum disease without knowing it.
If you see a dentist or orthodontist often, they can catch the beginning stages of periodontitis. The beginning stage is known as gingivitis, where gums become red and swollen. Your gums should be a healthy-looking pink colour instead of dark red. They should never be swollen, and your gums shouldn’t bleed easily. If you haven’t flossed in a while, you might have mild periodontitis, which is why your gums will bleed. We can help you if you are in this early stage of gum disease and hope to receive orthodontic treatment.
Can I get braces if I have gum disease?
If you have gum disease, it needs to be treated and resolved before treatment with braces can begin. Many people get braces when they are children or teenagers, and gum disease is quite uncommon at these ages. However, even children can have this condition if they don't brush and floss their teeth daily. Before you begin treatment with braces, we will help you achieve optimal oral health, including treating gum disease. In the mild and moderate stages, we can reverse damage to your gums if you start brushing and flossing your teeth every day, several times a day. Brush after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and use fluoride toothpaste.
When flossing, make sure to floss every tooth, reaching up into the gum line and removing plaque from your teeth as you go. You may even need to use special dental tools to remove plaque that collects in certain areas of your gums. Over several weeks and months, these habits can turn your red, inflamed gums back to a healthy pink colour. You can begin orthodontic treatment once your gums return to this colour. Because the orthodontic treatment can last a while, we want to ensure your gums are healthy before we add appliances to your teeth.
Can I undergo orthodontic treatment with gingivitis?
Unfortunately, if you have gingivitis, putting braces on your teeth can cause it to progress more rapidly into periodontitis. This is because the brackets and wires can make it more difficult to clean the teeth. For this reason, we will not commence with orthodontic treatment until your gingivitis is resolved.
If you already have gingivitis, don't worry. As mentioned above, most patients can still get orthodontic appliances after successful treatment for gum disease.
Preventing Gum Disease During Orthodontic Treatment
It is critical to maintain an oral hygiene routine throughout your orthodontic treatment in order to prevent gum disease and other issues. Here are some ways you can do this:
Maintaining an Oral Hygiene Routine
To maintain a healthy smile while wearing braces, it's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Brushing correctly and consistently can remove trapped bacteria in your braces, preventing damage to your teeth and gums.
Choose Tools to Make Cleaning Easier
In addition to a proper cleaning routine, having the right tools to clean your teeth and braces is essential. The most basic tools are fluoride-based toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Fluoride helps remove bacteria and strengthen teeth with minerals.
Interdental brushes are a unique type of brush that is useful for more specialized cleaning. They have a small cone-shaped bristle head that can reach between separated teeth and the space between the metal wire, teeth, and brackets. Their flexibility also makes them convenient for cleaning your upper and lower molars. Floss picks and floss threaders make it easier to floss with braces, helping to remove food particles stuck between teeth.