Q.
Helloo Dr Dunn, I want to get braces but am not sure if I have gum disease. I personally would have thought that this would have been an issue firstly what is your take on this? secondly my teeth only bleed when I brush them and even that is in the one spot near my left upper canine, I just thought that Id been brushing to hard but I came out the bathroom and my mum spotted it and joked saying that I might have gingivitis,I tried to find out what else I should look out for and my breath doesn’t smell and I have none of the other symptoms expressed on this site other than the bleeding on brushing? what would you say about both this and getting braces now? thanks?
Helloo Dr Dunn, I want to get braces but am not sure if I have gum disease. I personally would have thought that this would have been an issue firstly what is your take on this? secondly my teeth only bleed when I brush them and even that is in the one spot near my left upper canine, I just thought that Id been brushing to hard but I came out the bathroom and my mum spotted it and joked saying that I might have gingivitis,I tried to find out what else I should look out for and my breath doesn’t smell and I have none of the other symptoms expressed on this site other than the bleeding on brushing? what would you say about both this and getting braces now? thanks?
A.
You need to find out if the bleeding is gingivitis or periodontitis, your dentist will be able to tell you this. If it is the latter, you will need treatment, if it is gingivitis then improving your oral hygiene will clear the bleeding. It is important that this gingival inflammation is under control prior to having braces but having braces is a great way to get your teeth straight and this should make cleaning easier.
You need to find out if the bleeding is gingivitis or periodontitis, your dentist will be able to tell you this. If it is the latter, you will need treatment, if it is gingivitis then improving your oral hygiene will clear the bleeding. It is important that this gingival inflammation is under control prior to having braces but having braces is a great way to get your teeth straight and this should make cleaning easier.
Dr Ian Dunn
PurelyPerio Clinic 334, PO Box 334, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 0AG Web: www.purelyperio.co.uk Tel: 01625 419700
