Tips for Reducing Risk for Periodontal Disease While Wearing Braces

If your child wears braces, he or she will need to maintain a good routine of oral hygiene. If your child develops periodontal disease, it may complicate the orthodontic treatment. Here are some tips for reducing your child's risk for periodontal disease while wearing braces.

Sticky, sugary foods should be avoided while your child is wearing any and all forms of orthodontics including braces. If all traces of food and plaque are not removed from the nooks and crannies of the teeth, or from underneath the brackets and wires, bacteria will quickly go to work to bury into the gums, raising the risk for gum disease.

If mild gum disease is not recognized and treated by the dentist while still in its early stages, it may progress to periodontitis. This serious form of gum disease can destroy gum tissue along with the underlying bone. When the underlying bone gets damaged as a result of periodontitis, the teeth may loosen and shift, hindering the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment. If your child develops bleeding, swollen, or dark red gums, make an appointment with the specialist in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry in Weston FL as soon as possible.

While it is helpful when parents supervise their child's oral care routine, this is not always possible. If you are unable to watch your child brush and floss every day, encourage him or her to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

This helps wash away food particles from underneath the brackets and helps rinse away the bacteria that can cause periodontal disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits, avoiding sticky sugary foods, and drinking plenty of water helps stave off bad bacteria, periodontal disease and cavities. However, these interventions will do little without your child experiencing the appropriate routine dental care.

To learn more about orthodontics in Weston FL or to make an appointment, contact us anytime.