Did your daughter find relief pretty quickly after switching brushes? My son has been dealing with similar gum irritation issues for a while now, and honestly, it's been stressing me out.
My dentist didn't specify exact sizes, but he did strongly suggest sticking to extra-soft bristles. Honestly, it took me a couple tries to find the right one—once I did though, relief came pretty quickly. Definitely worth experimenting a bit...gum issues really do suck!
Totally agree about the extra-soft brushes. I had braces for a couple years and gum irritation was a constant battle. Switching brushes helped, but honestly, technique mattered just as much. My ortho showed me how to angle the brush gently at the gumline instead of scrubbing straight across...made a huge difference. Also, rinsing with warm salt water before bed calmed things down surprisingly fast. Might be worth trying if your son's gums are really bothering him.
Interesting points, but I'm not totally convinced salt water rinses are always the best idea. I tried them myself a while back when I had some gum inflammation issues—my dentist recommended it too, actually. But weirdly enough, it seemed to make things worse for me. Maybe my gums are just extra sensitive or something, but after a few days of salt water rinsing, they felt even more irritated and dried out.
Eventually, I switched to a gentle alcohol-free mouthwash instead, and that actually helped calm things down quite a bit. It felt soothing without the drying effect I got from salt water. I also found that flossing very gently (and consistently!) made a huge difference. I know flossing with braces can be a pain—my granddaughter complains about it constantly—but those little floss threaders really helped her get around the wires without hurting herself.
I'm curious if anyone else had a similar reaction to salt water rinses, or if I'm just the odd one out here. Seems like most people swear by them, but for me, it was a no-go. Guess it just proves everyone's gums react differently...
"Maybe my gums are just extra sensitive or something, but after a few days of salt water rinsing, they felt even more irritated and dried out."
Glad I'm not alone—I had a similar experience. Salt water rinses made my gums feel tight and uncomfortable, almost like they were overly dry. Switching to a soothing aloe-based mouthwash helped me a lot. Has anyone else tried aloe products for gum irritation? Curious if it's just me or if others found relief with it too...
