I just got braces and I'don't know if I have gum decay?!
Question: I got my braces 4 days now and my doctor told me to go buy Phos. Flur, which I didn't until today and I noticed that on the second day after I got my braces, the gum to one of my tooth look like it bleeding and all around it was white. A couple of hours later, I checked and the white stuff (which I believe is part of my gum tissues) is spreading. The next day I checked in the mirror n saw that all the white stuffs had disappear. I was so glad and thought that it probably a temporary thing when u get braces. Today, I look and saw that my gum had peer off the white layer and now I think I lost the top layer of my gum on my bottom teeth. I'm so scare. Is this a sign of gum decay? If yes what should I do to get my gum to grow back.
P.S.: I didn't know gum would be damage so fast in just 1 day after I have my braces. Please advise me what to do now. And yes I do brush my teach, floss after meals, and used mouth wash...just not the Phos. Flur which my doctor told me to buy, cuz I just got i
Answers: I got my braces 4 days now and my doctor told me to go buy Phos. Flur, which I didn't until today and I noticed that on the second day after I got my braces, the gum to one of my tooth look like it bleeding and all around it was white. A couple of hours later, I checked and the white stuff (which I believe is part of my gum tissues) is spreading. The next day I checked in the mirror n saw that all the white stuffs had disappear. I was so glad and thought that it probably a temporary thing when u get braces. Today, I look and saw that my gum had peer off the white layer and now I think I lost the top layer of my gum on my bottom teeth. I'm so scare. Is this a sign of gum decay? If yes what should I do to get my gum to grow back.
P.S.: I didn't know gum would be damage so fast in just 1 day after I have my braces. Please advise me what to do now. And yes I do brush my teach, floss after meals, and used mouth wash...just not the Phos. Flur which my doctor told me to buy, cuz I just got i
I am an ortodontic assistant and often this happens do to poor flossing, you need to do salt water rinses and buy a produt called peroxyl which is made by colgate I believe. Salt water rinse should be one tablespoon per 8-12 ounces of warm (not hot) water. You need to do this 4 times per day at least and it will sting a little bit at first but its ok it is just the bacteria caused by your gum loss being killed. Also don't be afraid to use the brand mouthwash Listerine It kills bacteria well. And if they gave you some use your wax on the brackets in the area you are sore and only after you'vehad them for 5-7 days because you need your lip and cheeks to "toughen up" first. Good luck in the years to come with braces.
i don't know , but i would call our ortho tomrrow.
This is not gum decay. Braces do not cause gum decay and if they do (through poor oral hygiene) it wont happen that fast. Most likely it is you gums being inflamed from the pressure of the braces which is casuing the bleeding. THe white stuff could be a number of things such as food that is stuck to your gums, or part of your cheek as the brackets from the braces rip your cheeks up for a little while. Is is specifically in one spot? One other thing that could have happened is when they place the brackets for the braces they use an acid to help etch the teeth (roughen them up) and then using a bonding agent which helps the brackets stay on. If a little bit of the acid got on your gums by mistake it can cause them to burn, aka turn white and bleed. This isnt a big deal and they will heal in a few days to a week. But I would make an appt to go see your orthodontist just to have him check it out, or I assume you probably have a follow up /adjustment appt relatively soon anyway.
First of all, there is no such thing as gum decay. Your gums are probably just very irritated after having braces put on. But it also sounds like something else may be irritating them, like the kind of toothpaste or mouth rinse you are using. It might be too strong if you actually have gum tissue peeling away. Just stick with a regular fluoride toothpaste and start using the Phos. Flur because it will help the enamel on your teeth to stay strong and prevent tooth decay while the braces are on. Do not avoid the gums while brushing because the gumline is where all the plaque and cavity-causing germs are. Use the blue threaders to get floss between the wires so you can clean inbetween your teeth too. If your gums do not look or feel any better in a few days, go back to your orthodontist or regular dentist and let them take a look at it. But I really don't think it's anything serious.