I noticed my gums stayed puffy for a couple weeks after getting braces, even with the proxy brushes. Maybe I was just too gentle at first? Once I started using them more consistently, things improved, but it wasn’t overnight. Did you ever have issues with bleeding when you first switched? Sometimes I wonder if that’s just part of the adjustment period or if I was doing something wrong...
Did you ever have issues with bleeding when you first switched? Sometimes I wonder if that’s just part of the adjustment period or if I was doing something wrong...
My kid had some bleeding, but honestly, it wasn’t just at the start. Even after a few months, if she slacked on brushing, her gums puffed up again. I don’t think it’s always about being too gentle—sometimes it’s just your gums reacting to all the new stuff in there. Consistency helped more than pressure for us.
Consistency helped more than pressure for us.
Honestly, that’s spot on. If you treat flossing like a New Year’s resolution—great for a week, then forgotten—your gums will absolutely call you out with puffiness and bleeding. The weird thing is, even people who brush like they’re scrubbing grout can still get swollen gums if they’re not getting in between the brackets. Ever tried those little proxy brushes? They look silly but work wonders. Anyone else find regular floss just gets stuck everywhere?
Totally agree on the consistency thing—it’s way more important than how hard you brush or floss. I see so many folks who brush like maniacs but skip the in-between bits, and their gums still get puffy. Those little proxy brushes are actually a game-changer, especially with braces. I get what you mean about regular floss getting stuck... sometimes even the “super floss” feels like wrestling dental tape through a jungle. Have you tried water flossers? Some people swear by them for getting around brackets without shredding their gums.
Have you tried water flossers? Some people swear by them for getting around brackets without shredding their gums.
Yeah, I switched to a water flosser after fighting with regular floss for weeks. It’s not perfect—sometimes I feel like it misses stuff, but my gums definitely got less swollen. Proxy brushes help too, especially around the molars. Consistency really is key, even if technique isn’t always spot-on.