causes or gum irratation around molar band?!

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#1 Post by **prettybetty3** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:19 am

I have been in braces about 7 months now and everything has gone great! Little to no pain or any bracket problems...

...however, for the past week I have had this pain when I bite down on my left side and when I brush I noticed a significant amount of blood. Since the pain is coming from my molar band area, it is hard to see what is going on...however it seems my gum right about my molar band is a lil irritated, red and a lil puffy

I have no idea where this could have come from, does this have anything to do with the braces? I dont wanna go to the dentist right away bc i dont have insurance and Im sure he will jsut say it will go away in a few days but I dont know...

any comments?

#2 Post by **becks** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:48 pm

Hmm, sorry to hear you are hurting. As to what may have caused this, I think it could be a number of things. Maybe you flossed a little too aggressively and irritated the gumline there, could be developing a gingivitis, and the only other thing I can think of might be that the bracket "slipped" somehow and cut into your gum. Since you said its already been bothering you for about a week now, I would really suggest you put a call into your ortho. He should be able to tell if the problem is due to your appliances or if a trip to the dentist is needed. I know you said you don't really want to see a dentist since you have no insurance but hon, think of it this way. You've already or will be putting out alot of money for the braces, no since compromising or wasting that investment on not properly caring for your teeth.

Hope it clears up on its own but don't wait too much longer. Best of luck! Keep us posted.

#3 Post by **Patricia S.** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:12 pm

I had that happen with one of my bands when it came loose. Since i have been in bands longer than braces i don't know if you can tell with braces, but i could actually move the band. It was pushing into my gums and causing irritation and bleeding. My ortho just cemented it back on when i went for my braces. Maybe this has happened to you.

Patricia

#4 Post by **Jembrace** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:23 pm

Definitely see a dentist! I had the same sort of trouble, it ended up being a gum infection. Had to clean it all out and such. You don't want to delay getting seen, infections can travel from the gums through the rest of your body. Good luck!

Jembrace