Switching toothpaste is actually a pretty good shout. I had braces put on about six months ago, and my gums went from totally fine to super sensitive overnight. Tried gels, rinses, you name it... nothing really helped much. Then someone mentioned the SLS-free toothpaste thing, and honestly, I was skeptical at first—like how much difference could toothpaste really make? But after a week or two of using it, things definitely improved. Not perfect, but way less irritation and soreness.
Still curious though—does anyone know why SLS seems to cause issues for some people? Is it just an irritant or something? Anyway, hang in there; sensitive gums are no joke, but you'll find something that works eventually.
Yeah, switching toothpaste made a noticeable difference for my son too. His orthodontist explained that SLS is basically a foaming agent, but for some people it strips away natural protective layers in the mouth, causing irritation and sensitivity... especially with braces rubbing against gums. Glad you're seeing improvements!
Saltwater rinses have always been my go-to—cheap, easy, and effective. When I had braces (ages ago, mind you), gels didn't do much for me. But a warm saltwater rinse before bed? Worked wonders. Also, totally agree on the toothpaste thing; switched to an SLS-free one years back and never looked back. Sometimes simpler really is better...
Saltwater rinses definitely help me too, especially when my gums flare up. But have you tried alternating between saltwater and a gentle antiseptic mouthwash? I found that combo pretty effective when things got really sensitive. Agree on the gels though—tried a few OTC ones and honestly, they just felt sticky and didn't do much long-term.
Also, good call on ditching SLS toothpaste. Took me forever to realize that was causing half my irritation. Switching to something milder made a huge difference. Have you noticed any difference with toothbrush types? I switched to a softer brush head and it seemed to help a bit more. Curious if anyone else found the same...
I've noticed softer toothbrushes help a bit too, but honestly, switching brushes didn't make as much difference for me as changing brushing technique did. I used to brush way too hard without realizing it, and easing up on pressure helped my gums calm down noticeably. Has anyone else experimented with brushing methods or timing—like brushing before meals instead of after—to see if that helps sensitivity? Curious if timing matters or if it's just me overthinking things...
