second timers

Message

#1 Post by **lilonething** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:28 pm

Just wondering, as I consider being braced for a second time in my life, what stress it is on the gums and teeth. Have any of you second timers had troubles relating the the stress of braces twice over? Any root problems, thin enamel or gums? Is it more likely for those going through it twice than for first timers? I worry a bit because my gums have some wear and I feel that they are thin in some areas, which I hear happens a lot to people who have had braces. My dentist has never mentioned thin-ness, but did mention that I had a wear spot. The thinning is my own observation.

#2 Post by **Joanna20** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:05 pm

Hey, this is my second time in braces and yes, I do have some thinness but my doctor has never mentioned anything besides my ennamel not being very good on holding the brackets on them! I don't think that there is a problem on gums being thin, it's probably the stress on them.
Actually here's a pic of my thinness, I have a spot in which the root of a tooth is a bit more noticiable. It might be flaring too

#3 Post by **lilonething** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:15 am

hmmm. Just wrote something and posted it but it disappeared. Sorry if tis is a repost.

I heard some people talking about needing gum grafts for thin gums at the root, but I don't know if they were second timers or just people with naturally thin gums.
I'd ask about yours at the next appointment just in case, but I think your ortho would be watching for these things.

Any other second timers who encountered things like thin enamal, root absorption or gum thinning? I want to make an informed decision before I go and do this for a second time. Or...maybe I'm looking for an excuse...

#4 Post by **NotBob1** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 10:51 pm

Second time in braces here, third time for ortho treatment if you want to count the whole expander/headgear thing as a 10-12 year old. I have had no issues as of yet, just brush well, brush often, rinse with Phos-Flur and keep 'em clean!

#5 Post by **jcdamon3** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:16 am

My sister had gum grafts for thinning gums and it had nothing to do with braces. I think she just brushed too hard at times and not at all at other times. I don't think she flosses either. She had to have a deep root cleaning (or whatever that's called) on her back teeth and a gum graft on her lower front tooth.

Hope this helps. I agree with NotBob1. Keep them clean. Added to that - don't brush like there is no tomorrow.