Child's Braces and Swollen Gums

More than likely the red, swollen gums are from NOT brushing as well as he should, in other words poor oral hygeine. This is not a true emergency but he does need to be seen in the next few days. There may be something else going on. In the meantime, have him run his soft bristled toothbrush under HOT water to soften it even more and brush very gently, angling the bristles toward the gums. It will be tender, and they will likely bleed. Also have him rinse with warm salt water with some hydrogen peroxide mixed in. The peroxide is a very good disinfectant. Whatever he does, do not let him avoid brushing he needs to get the plaque off of his teeth and keep them clean. We always told parents that their kids with poor oral hygeine needed to stand a little closer to their toothbrush. Don't use mouthwash. The alcohol in it may sting.

This is typical and will happen a lot - chances are there is something stuck in his braces that irritated the gums OR he broke a food and braces rule and he is feeling the concequences now. Salt water rinse and as much as it hurts brush them braces just skip the floss or alcohol based wash. In fact I would brush with Baking Soda and water paste - it will taste NASTY and his gums may bleed if there is a real problem but chances are he broke a rule or they are too tight. Did he recently get them tightened? I would have him brush teeth (not gums) with baking soda, then salt water (warm not cold) rinse, then tylenol/advil whatever you use for pain and send him to bed.

Is he using one of those numbing thing like Orajel? When I had braces I would try using some to help with the discomfort and pain. Turns out I'm allergic to it and that was one of the symptoms I would have.

Someone on mamapedia suggested I get a water pik for my son, who just got braces. I did and it is great! He uses it twice a day in addition to all of the other cleaning and after a month of braces he is doing well. They showed him a video of what could happen to his teeth if he did not clean carefully and floss and to tell you the truth I think it scared the heck out of him. Still, the water pik is gentle and easy to use for him and it makes him feel more comfortable. Good luck to you guys.

I would give him some ibuprofen to help with the pain and swelling for now, and also do a salt water rinse, then call the orthodontist tomorrow. Who knows, something teeny could be embedded in there. I have had extensive dental work done (a retainer once blew up in my mouth and embedded in my upper palate, ouch!) so I know all about those pesky pains.

Definitely take him in. There is a prescription rinse they can give him or prescribe him (the pink stuff they have us swish with). It will take out the infection/swelling in a few days. He needs to keep brushing, but this is tough since his gums are so sensitive due to the swelling. The "pink stuff" will help!

When I had braces, my orthodontist gave me a Water Pik to use. I added a touch a Listerine to the Water Pik because I liked that better for freshness.

I LOVED having the Water Pik. Not only did it help get the gunk out, it was soothing.

Salt water rinses and Listerine were my friend as well!

My son had swollen gums the entire time he had braces on. They did recover after the braces were removed. It is probably not food or from a rinse - part of it is the tooth movement and part is incorrect brushing. We got my son a water pik and that helped. If they swelled up all of a sudden I would call the orthodontist.

Hi VM ~ I currently have braces and I'm guilty of eating forbidden foods occasionally & what your describing is your son needing to floss & then brush really well as painful & swollen as they are right now his gums will get relief. Definitely give him some motrin. As someone else suggested you can mix a little listerine w/a little warm water & have him rinse w/it(my orthodontist has his patients even do this in his office during adjustments). Definitely get him into his orthodontist sooner rather than later just in case there is something else going on. How long has it been since he's had a cleaning? That will also help. Good luck!