Pediatric Orthodontists’ Suggested Interventions for Sore Gums

by | Jan 3, 2020 | Dentist

If your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten his or her teeth, then he or she may experience minor gum irritation. This is very common and is often experienced after adjustment appointments. It can also occur as a result of a wire poking into the soft tissue of the gums if the child eats hard candy, chews gum, or fidgets with the hardware. Here are some interventions your child’s orthodontist in Pilsen may suggest for sore gums.

Teething Gels

Gels used to soothe sore gums in babies when they’re teething are also effective in relieving sore gums from braces. Also known as numbing gels, teething gels are simply rubbed onto the sore area of the gums. Pain relief is often immediate, however, it is relatively short-lasting, and because of this, it needs to be reapplied frequently. While teething gels are considered safe, they may cause local side effects such as stinging at the application site, itching, increased redness, or tingling sensations on the gums.

OTC NSAIDs

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or OTC NSAIDs, are very effective in treating minor gum pain. NSAIDs such as naproxen and ibuprofen relieve both pain and inflammation of the gums, however, if they cause side effects such as stomach upset, the orthodontist in Pilsen may recommend acetaminophen. This OTC medication will help ease sore gums, but it will do little to treat inflamed gums.

To make an appointment with an orthodontist, call the office of ABC Pediatric Dentistry: Adrienne Barnes DDS or visit the website.

Latest Articles

Categories

Archives

Similar Posts