What Does Orthodontic Treatment Look Like With Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused by bacterial plaque which attacks the gum tissue and forces the gums to retract from the tooth.

This can lead to your teeth appearing longer, cause mild bleeding, and even lead to tooth-shifting. If you are dealing with periodontal disease and are interested in orthodontic treatment, here’s how your condition will affect your treatment.
‍

Can You Get Braces for Periodontal Disease?

In most cases, before you can get your orthodontic treatment, you will need to get treated for periodontal disease. The process itself will help remove the plaque from your teeth and allow your gums to heal. However, it can also reveal whether the bones underneath are strong enough to withstand the orthodontic treatment.

Getting braces or Invisalign while dealing with periodontal disease can make the entire treatment less effective, but unfortunately, this may be the least of your concerns. If left unchecked, gum disease can even lead to permanent tooth loss, so it’s imperative to get treatment right away.
‍

Can Braces Cause Gum Disease?

If you’ve been reading up on braces or orthodontic treatment in general, you may have learned that it can increase your risk for periodontal disease. This is somewhat true in the sense that braces can make it harder to clean your teeth properly, but the braces themselves won’t cause periodontal disease.

The brackets and wires mean you will need to be more mindful when cleaning your teeth to make sure you remove all food particles which could get stuck. Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum disease, as it allows bacteria and food to accumulate in the mouth and form plaque and tartar.

To protect your teeth, it’s best to thoroughly brush your teeth after every meal and floss once a day. You should also schedule routine dental cleanings, which can help reduce your risk for gum disease and cavities even further.
‍

Can Orthodontics Help with Gum Recession?

Unfortunately, no. Orthodontic treatment aims to improve the position of your teeth and even the alignment of the jaw, but it cannot address gum recession.

If your gums have pulled back because of gum disease, you do have some treatment options. The most common is gum graft surgery, which can replace the missing tissue and restore your smile’s look and health.
‍

Interested in Orthodontics? We Can Help!

Are you dealing with tooth alignment or bite issues? The team at Great Bay Orthodontics can help you improve your oral health through professional orthodontic treatment designed to get you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Whether it’s traditional braces or modern Invisalign, you can rest assured that you will get a personalized path to healthy teeth.

To get started, book an appointment at Great Bay Orthodontics online.

Want to learn more about our services? Then call our practice at (603) 318-2602 for a short chat.