Swollen gums were honestly one of the things that worried me most when I first got my braces. I kept thinking I was brushing enough, but my gums still looked puffy and felt sore. I’m a bit paranoid about dental stuff—I’ve had my share of gum issues over the years—so I started checking them like three times a day. My ortho said it’s pretty common, but that didn’t really stop me from worrying.
I never quite got the hang of those threaders... they always seemed to get stuck, or maybe I just don’t have the patience. Ended up using a water flosser instead, which helped a bit, but honestly, my gums stayed a little swollen for months. They only calmed down once I got better at brushing under the wires (and cut back on snacks between meals).
I still get nervous if my gums bleed, even a little. But unless it’s really painful or super red, I try not to panic. Guess it’s just part of the whole braces adventure, but it does make me anxious sometimes.