If you are living with uneven teeth, you might be wondering if braces are the solution for you.
Thanks to vast growth and development in the orthodontic field, there will generally be an orthodontic apparatus that can help anyone straighten their smile.
But can you get braces with gum disease?
Put most simply, gum disease, or periodontal disease, is when the gums become red, swollen, and sore.
It is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, which develops and irritates the gums in the best case, and in the worst case, can cause pockets to develop and for your teeth to fall out.
It is incredibly common, with almost half of the adults in the UK having a degree of periodontitis (severe gum disease) that is not reversible.
While it isn’t impossible to get braces with gum disease, it is not encouraged – until your gum disease has been treated and rectified where possible.
Having healthy gums is an essential starting point for every patient looking to straighten their teeth with braces, from those who have no gum disease to those with gingivitis – a mild form of gum disease – as well as those with periodontitis.
It is essential to try and make your teeth and gums as healthy as possible before you opt for orthodontics in Swindon because:
Your dental hygiene is easier to maintain if you opt for an aligner brace system, like Invisalign, as they can be fully removed and don’t cover parts of the teeth with components like archwires or brackets.
This allows you to brush and floss like normal, without physical barriers. However, aligner patients shouldn’t be lax as dental hygiene can still be threatened if you are not vigilant, especially if they do not clean their teeth before putting their aligner back in.
Moreover, as these orthodontic treatments are not suitable for all cases, especially those with more extreme malocclusions, you can’t rely on these treatment options.
If you are opting for a more traditional brace system, like Damon Clear Braces, CFast aligners, or lingual braces, your dentist will talk you through how to thoroughly clean your teeth, including any specialist tools you might need to make the job easier, so you can keep on top of it once your gum disease treatment is concluded and your brace is fitted.
It is a common misconception that you can have gingivitis as well as gum disease because gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease itself.
It is caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria in the mouth, which can cause infection and physical signs like:
Gingivitis is an example of the body’s immune response to harmful stimuli, in this case, the inflammatory changes and bacterial infection of gum disease, in and around the tissues of the teeth and gums.
If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease that can lead to bone loss in the jaw, loose or failing teeth, and retracting gums. This is bad because periodontitis can be lessened with treatment from your dentist and thorough care and maintenance at home, but not cured.
Thanks to the experience of our skilled dental team, we can cover all aspects of dental care for our patients in Marlborough, from dental implants to general dentistry, orthodontic care to cosmetic procedures like whitening.
This includes fitting braces with gum disease sufferers or those with perfectly healthy mouths.
To book an orthodontic appointment to discuss which brace solution is best for you, you can call us on 01672 516 184 or drop us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with an appointment time and date that suits you best.
