Bleeding gums every time I brush around my braces. Normal or a problem?

[smiledesigns101]

Brackets and wires trap plaque along the gumline, and that buildup irritates the tissue. Brushing harder usually makes the soreness worse. Bleeding gums around braces are common, but they are not something to ignore.

A few habits help:

• Use a soft brush angled toward the gumline
• Clean between brackets with an interdental brush or water flosser
• Rinse with warm salt water after meals

If bleeding lasts beyond two weeks, book an exam. At Smile Design 101, which serves orthodontics middlesex county patients, Dr. Kosmas Kasimatis checks gum pockets during braces treatment so early bleeding gums don't progress to gum disease.