Clear Aligners and Gum Recession: What You Should Know

Clear aligners have provided a world of convenience to those who need orthodontic treatment, giving them a more appealing and comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces. Since they aren’t fixed onto the teeth, they don’t need to restrict their diet, maintain persistent delicacy around metal braces, experience bracket and wire-related emergencies, or the pressure of fixed pulling. Instead, clear aligners gently push the teeth into alignment, exerting less force and resulting in less soreness than traditional braces.

However, you may be wondering if the same kindly treatment applies to the gums. Here’s what you need to know about clear aligners and gum recession, which will help you determine if Invisalign treatment in Ann Arbor is for you:

All About Gum Recession

Gum or gingival recession is a widespread dental issue in adults over the age of 40. However, it is still a problem that young adults should take seriously. Recession happens when the gum tissue starts to retract, exposing the roots of your teeth, making them more sensitive. This development can lead to problems like mobility issues, cavities, spacing issues, change in tooth color, compromised defense from periodontal disease, bleeding, inflammation, and persistent bad breath or halitosis.

Luckily, clear aligners do not add to the discomfort of gum recession. Your periodontal ligament tissue will need some time to adjust to the new position of your teeth, which is why you’ll need to wear the same clear aligner tray for a few weeks before swapping it to a new one. However, if your dentist observes gum recession during your consultation, they’ll want to address that before putting you on clear aligner treatment. They can do this by deep cleaning the affected area, giving you antibiotics, or carrying out an oral surgical procedure, such as regeneration, a soft-tissue graft, or flap scaling.

Clear Aligners and Gum Disease

Older adults commonly grapple with periodontal disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 50 percent of adults aged 30 and older have some type of periodontal disease. This figure jumps to 70 percent in adults aged 65 and older. The good news is that clear aligners do not contribute to this issue.

However, clear aligners still require dedicated maintenance and care to ensure they’re clean and free of food debris. You’ll still need to take some caution with aligners, as they minimize saliva contact with the teeth and gums, which protects your mouth with antibacterial agents. If you aren’t careful with your aligners, you may indirectly increase the risk of developing periodontal disease, but with routine care, you’ll keep your mouth in good health.

Can Clear Aligners Make Your Gums Bleed?

When you’re wearing new aligners for the first few times, you may encounter mild gum bleeding and inflammation, which is normal. Gum tissue movement may result in more sensitivity and bleeding in the affected region where your teeth are actively moving. However, poor dental hygiene can also contribute to bleeding. Additionally, the trays’ edges can rub, scratch, or cut against your mouth surface.

Fortunately, you can coordinate with your dentist to cut your clear aligners’ edges to smooth them out. However, if you continue to bleed and experience inflammation for weeks, be sure to visit your dentist. While it may be a sign of poor oral hygiene, it could also indicate the early stages of periodontal disease.

Conclusion

Some people are hesitant about getting clear aligners because of myths about the treatment causing gum recession. The good news is that if you practice good oral hygiene, your clear aligners won’t contribute to periodontal disease. By wearing your clear aligners and keeping them clean, you’ll get to enjoy a straighter smile without worrying about your gums.

Dental House MI is a dental clinic offering a wide range of services, such as preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, dental implants, advanced dental technology, and Invisalign in Ann Arbor and Waterford. We also accept walk-ins for dental emergencies. Make an appointment with us today!