“Do you get gum pockets with braces?”

You may get gingivitis or swelling of your gums during teeth movement. The key to keeping things under control is brushing often and flossing daily. Rinse with a mouthwash to keep debris from accumulating.

Dana Truesdale, DDS

Gum pockets are caused by bacteria. Having braces makes it more difficult to clean your teeth. In our office, we have patient with braces (when they are not doing a great job cleaning), come in for cleanings every 3 or 4 months. If you leave plaque and bacteria on your teeth long enough, it can cause decay of the teeth, inflammation of the gums, and possible permanent bone loss.