Braces With Periodontal Disease? How to Get a Healthy Smile
Braces can make your smile healthier in many ways, but do you have to have a healthy smile to get braces? The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 47% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease. Can you get braces with gum disease?
Weaver Orthodontics has treated patients with various stages of periodontal disease, and we are well-equipped to address their needs. Periodontal disease and braces aren’t an ideal pairing, but we can work with you to straighten your teeth and help you get a healthy smile.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums that comes in several stages. The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Without treatment, gum disease can become periodontitis, then advanced periodontitis.
Gum disease is easily treatable in the early stages. It becomes more complicated as it advances, so it’s best to take care of it as soon as you see symptoms. Without treatment, you could risk serious health issues, including infections and tooth loss.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis? These are some of the symptoms of gum disease:
Soreness
Bad Breath
Mild bleeding, especially during brushing
Redness
Loosening of gums around teeth
Gingivitis treatment often involves more diligent oral hygiene habits. Better brushing and flossing remove more plaque from around the gums, eliminating the bacteria causing the inflammation. An antibacterial mouthwash or mouth rinse can also help eliminate the bacteria causing gingivitis.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
What happens if you ignore the early signs? What if you don’t improve your oral hygiene habits and continue to neglect brushing and flossing daily? Your sore gums could become worse, and you could develop periodontitis, the second stage of gum disease.
What are the symptoms of periodontitis?
Extreme redness
Moderate to severe pain
Moderate to severe bleeding
Loosening gums around the teeth, possibly causing loose teeth
Pus pockets around teeth
Periodontitis can make your gums very uncomfortable, especially during eating or brushing. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your dentist for treatment. Otherwise, you could develop advanced periodontitis.
Symptoms of Advanced Periodontitis
The symptoms of advanced periodontal disease are severe and painful and can lead to other health issues beyond your oral health. It’s vital to see your dentist or even a doctor if you have symptoms of advanced periodontitis.
What are the symptoms of advanced periodontitis?
Severe bleeding and redness
Severe infection
Severe pain
Inability to bite or chew properly
Tooth loss
How can this affect more than your oral health? You can lose nutrition without the ability to chew food properly. Severe infections can spread beyond the gums to other parts of the body, including the bone of your jaw and even your blood, which can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Severe pain can elevate blood pressure and strain the heart.
This is why you need to see a dentist right away if you suspect you have gum disease or any level of periodontal disease.
How Did I Get Gum Disease?
A lack of good oral hygiene habits is arguably the most common reason for gum disease, but it’s not the only reason. Other factors can cause gum disease, from certain forms of medication to other health issues, including cancer.
Here are the most common causes of periodontal disease.
Bad or neglectful oral hygiene
Hormonal changes due to pregnancy
Airway issues (including snoring or mouth breathing)
Genetics
Stress
Tobacco use
Myofunctional issues, such as tongue misplacement at rest
Crooked teeth that make it difficult to clean
Chronic inflammatory diseases (high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, etc.)
Certain medications, including cancer drugs and steroids
Can I Get Braces With Gum Disease?
Can you get braces with periodontal disease? It’s a common question. Most people assume that braces and gum disease don’t go together. While it’s true that braces and periodontal disease make things more complicated, having gum disease doesn’t mean you can’t ever get braces.
We will likely delay any braces treatment if you have periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. That’s because braces treatment involves the precise movement of your teeth, and gum disease can cause your teeth to move faster than normal.
We’ll work with your dentist as you are treated for gum disease. While patients have had braces with gingivitis in milder stages, it’s best to have healthy gums before you start orthodontic treatment.
Once your gums are healthy enough, we can begin your braces treatment. Once your teeth are straight, you’ll find it’s much easier to clean your teeth and gums. That means braces treatment and proper brushing and flossing can help reduce your chances of getting gum disease again!
What If I Get Gum Disease With Braces?
Can braces cause gum disease? Technically, no, they can’t, but you can get gum disease during braces because brushing and flossing are a bit more challenging.
Periodontal disease and braces can be tricky, but it’s not impossible to continue your braces treatment even if you start to show signs of early gum disease. We will work with you to improve your oral hygiene habits by making suggestions on how to make brushing and flossing easier.
We can also work with your dentist and even your doctor if there are other causes that may be affecting your gum health. It may mean a change in lifestyle or medication, but braces are not impossible with early gum disease.
Braces Treatment in Swampscott, MA
Weaver Orthodontics can guide you to healthier gums and a beautiful, straight smile. It might take a little more time if you get gum disease with braces or just before getting braces, but don’t be discouraged!
A beautiful, healthy smile is still possible. Visit our office for braces treatment in Swampscott, MA. Let Weaver Orthodontics help you get that amazing, healthy smile you’ve always wanted!
