{"id":874,"date":"2021-12-31T09:53:25","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T14:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/?p=874"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:06:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:06:29","slug":"braces-and-bone-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/braces-and-bone-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Braces and Bone Loss \u2013 Can You Still Receive Treatment?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Braces or Invisalign are the best options for people who need a little help adjusting their smile into a healthier position. This is true for children, teens, and adults! But orthodontic treatment works through gentle but persistent pressure on your mouth. Gum disease or other issues can leave your mouth less prepared to handle this kind of treatment \u2013 especially if you\u2019re experiencing bone loss.<\/p>\n
Read on to learn more about braces and bone loss including the connection between the two, what it means for you, and how you can make sure you\u2019re ready for braces!<\/p>\n
How Braces and Bone Loss Are Connected<\/h2>\n
Orthodontic treatment is often seen as primarily concerning the teeth \u2013 but it\u2019s actually about whole mouth health. Periodontal health is equally, if not more, important than the health of your teeth. While you may think about your teeth as the primary aspect of dental care, they can\u2019t function or even exist without the support of healthy gums.<\/p>\n
Periodontal disease is something that many people face. Approximately half of all American adults suffer from some stage of gum disease. In the early phases, gum disease isn\u2019t a major concern. Over time, however, it grows more severe and one of the major effects is bone loss. The chronic bacterial infection wears away the gums and the bone underneath, leaving your mouth more vulnerable to further infection and decreasing your mouth\u2019s ability to secure your teeth in place.<\/p>\n
Because braces, and even Invisalign, put pressure on your teeth, they\u2019re also exerting this pressure on the gums and the bone underneath. Without a healthy foundation (the gums and bone) orthodontic treatment could leave your teeth in worse shape than when you started.<\/p>\n
For younger people, these effects are unlikely to have had enough time to grow that severe. It takes many years of advancing gum disease before you begin to suffer enough bone loss that it would prevent braces. However, that means many adults could find themselves in a position where their dentist and orthodontist aren\u2019t confident that they\u2019ll be right for orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\n
Braces and Bone Loss \u2013 Can I Still Get Braces?<\/h2>\n
The reality is that every person\u2019s case is unique. If you\u2019ve experienced periodontal disease for several years, your chances of having some bone loss increases. The amount of bone loss, and whether or not it\u2019s enough to make braces too risky for you, is something that only your dentist or orthodontist can determine.<\/p>\n
One common recommendation for braces is that it works better the earlier you receive treatment. This is also true for avoiding issues with bone loss! Children or teens, even those with dental health issues, are less likely to have bone structure issues from gum disease than adults. That means it\u2019s always best not to put off treatment if your dentist recommends an evaluation!<\/p>\n
Of course, not everyone is able to get treatment in their younger years. If you\u2019ve thought about orthodontic treatment, it\u2019s always worth it to come in for an evaluation!<\/p>\n
Preventing Bone Loss for Braces Eligibility<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re worried about braces and bone loss then you should know that it\u2019s within your power to fight gum disease and even prevent it completely! There\u2019s no secret to avoid periodontal disease \u2013 it\u2019s just about building healthy habits:<\/p>\n
Brush and Floss Daily \u2013<\/strong> Bacteria in your mouth are what cause gum disease in the first place. Regular dental care is what helps remove this bacteria, preventing gum disease from occurring.<\/p>\n
Consider Mouth Wash \u2013<\/strong> While not a replacement for brushing and flossing, mouth wash, especially those with fluoride in them, can help keep reduce bacteria and keep your mouth healthier!<\/p>\n
Stay Up to Date with Dental Visits \u2013<\/strong> Your dentist has a trained eye for spotting the signs of gum disease. Many of these signs can be completely invisible to you, and often, noticeable gum disease symptoms don\u2019t start until it\u2019s begun to advance past the early stages.<\/p>\n
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