Before starting your treatment, you probably knew that braces would change a lot about your everyday life. While you prepared to adjust how you brushed, flossed, and ate, you didn’t prepare for how braces would change your gums! Sometimes, orthodontic treatment like traditional braces can cause swollen gums, but thankfully, there’s generally nothing to worry about. Here’s why you may experience swollen gums with braces and what you can do to keep your smile healthy and comfortable while it’s being straightened.

Orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign have the potential to straighten your smile for a lifetime, but only if you take the right steps to protect your results. If you’ve neglected to wear your retainer as instructed, you may discover that your teeth aren’t as aligned as they were when you finished your treatment. You still have your old retainer… could wearing it help re-straighten your teeth? Read on as your Lawrence orthodontist breaks down how your retainer works and what you should do to regain your beautifully even smile if you haven’t been wearing yours frequently.