If You Get Braces, Does Your Gums Recede? Is It True or Just an Urban Legend?

Hello,

I am Dr. Park Yeol, an orthodontic specialist who has been providing orthodontic treatment near Gangnam Station for over 20 years.😃

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If you get braces, do your gums recede?

Is it true, or just an urban legend?

Among people hoping to get orthodontic treatment,

many worry after hearing that

“if you get braces, your gums will recede.”

Is that really true, or is it just a rumor?

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I’ll answer the questions about gums that you’ve been wondering about right away!

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Q1.

Do gums recede when you get braces?

A. In most cases, no.

If you have healthy gums and receive treatment from an orthodontic specialist,

it is very rare for the gums to recede after orthodontic treatment.

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However, if treatment is done by a non-specialist, or if your gums are already in poor condition,

gum recession (gingival recession*) can occur.

*Gum recession is also called gingival recession.

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Q2.

If my gums are originally weak, will orthodontic treatment make them recede more?

A. It is due to the original condition of the gums, not because of orthodontic treatment.

Some people have a lot of tartar or weak gums, so their gums recede even with scaling alone.

If such people get orthodontic treatment, the gums may recede a little more.

However, this means their gums were already in poor condition, not that it was caused by orthodontic treatment.

In fact, orthodontic treatment straightens the teeth, creating an environment where less tartar and plaque accumulate, which is beneficial for gum health in the long term.

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Q3.

During orthodontic treatment, in what cases should gum recession be watched for?

A. Excessive non-extraction orthodontic treatment can be a cause.

When the teeth are severely misaligned, orthodontic treatment is usually done after extraction, or by widening the dental arch without extraction.

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But if someone is afraid of extraction orthodontics or dislikes it and forces treatment without extraction, gingival recession can occur.

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This is because if the treatment is done by force, without extraction, and the entire dental arch is widened,

the teeth try to move outward but the gum tissue cannot keep up, which leads to gum tissue receding.

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So excessive non-extraction orthodontic treatment should be approached with caution.

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Q4.

If you have severe crowded canines, does orthodontic treatment make the gums recede?

A. It depends on your age.

Before adult crowded-canine orthodontic treatment

After adult crowded-canine orthodontic treatment

After adulthood orthodontic treatment: The crowded canine can be aligned, but the gum line may not fully follow, so slight recession is possible.

Of course, even in this case, orthodontic treatment is still necessary, and aesthetically it is hardly a problem.

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Before teenage orthodontic treatment

After teenage orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment in the teens to early 20s: The teeth and gums adapt together, so gum recession is almost nonexistent.

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Q5.

Is there a relationship between brushing habits and gum recession?

A. Incorrect brushing habits do have an effect.

The area where gum recession is most likely to occur during orthodontic treatment is the gum line of the lower front teeth.

In the narrow space between the front braces and the gum line, if you do not brush thoroughly, plaque may remain.

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Then plaque can build up there, and in severe cases, gum recession can occur.

So please pay special attention to that area when brushing.

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On the other hand, if you rub too hard, you can also damage the gums.

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Therefore, it is important to care for your teeth gently and thoroughly with the proper method.

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In summary-

1️⃣ Gum recession usually does not occur because of orthodontic treatment.

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2️⃣ It can happen only if the gums were originally weak, if excessive non-extraction orthodontic treatment is done, or if brushing care is done incorrectly.

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3️⃣ In fact, orthodontic treatment often improves the environment for gum health.

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🎥 For more details, please check the video below :)

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For quick reservations and consultations ⬇️

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I am Dr. Park Yeol, your lifelong primary dentist🩺

Based on over 20 years of experience, I introduce trustworthy dental information.😃

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