That's a really helpful experience to share. It's quite common for gums to react sensitively after braces removal, especially if flossing or brushing is done too vigorously at first. Switching to a softer brush and sensitive toothpaste was definitely a smart move—glad it worked out well for your daughter. Usually, gums just need some time to adjust after orthodontic treatment. Did you notice if certain floss types were gentler on her gums than others? Curious if that made any difference...
"Switching to a softer brush and sensitive toothpaste was definitely a smart move—glad it worked out well for your daughter."
I completely agree with this. After my braces came off, I experienced similar gum sensitivity issues. It took me a while to realize that brushing too aggressively was actually making things worse. Switching to an ultra-soft toothbrush and toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitive gums made a noticeable difference within just a couple of weeks.
Regarding floss types, I found that waxed floss or even dental tape felt gentler on my gums compared to regular unwaxed floss. The waxed varieties seemed to glide more smoothly between teeth, reducing irritation significantly. Also, using a water flosser on the lowest setting helped me ease back into regular flossing without causing additional discomfort.
It's reassuring to hear others have had similar experiences—gum sensitivity after orthodontic treatment seems pretty common, but thankfully manageable with the right approach and patience.
Interesting points here, but I'm not totally convinced about the waxed floss thing. I tried waxed floss after my braces came off, thinking it'd be gentler, but weirdly enough it seemed to leave more residue behind and made my gums feel kinda irritated afterward. Maybe it's just me being overly cautious or something...but has anyone else noticed waxed floss causing more issues than unwaxed? I'm still figuring this stuff out, so I'm curious if it's just a personal preference thing or what.
Yeah, waxed floss can be kinda hit or miss. I had a similar experience—thought it'd glide easier, but it felt weirdly slippery and left my gums feeling a bit off afterward. Switched back to unwaxed and things settled down pretty quick. Might just depend on your gums or even the brand you're using...who knows. Dental stuff is always trial and error for me too, so you're definitely not alone there!
"Dental stuff is always trial and error for me too, so you're definitely not alone there!"
Yeah, totally get this. I've bounced around between waxed and unwaxed floss too, but lately I've been wondering—could it also be related to flossing technique? Like maybe we're flossing a bit too aggressively without realizing it or something. I noticed when I slowed down and eased up on pressure, my gums felt less irritated regardless of the floss type. Or maybe it's just me overthinking again... Has anyone else noticed technique making a difference, or am I just imagining things here?
