Easy Ways To Treat Swollen Gums At Home

Swollen gums can happen to anyone at any time. If you notice your gums swelling and looking abnormal go visit your dentist or dental hygienist right away. Swollen gums can indicate gingivitis, the earliest and most common form of gum disease. It’s important to look after your gum health and ensure your gums stay healthy, with a pinkish tone. Proper oral care can keep both your teeth and gums healthy! Learn how to treat swollen gums and what oral care tips you can do at home.

Swollen Gums

Swollen gums happen for a variety of reasons. Your dentist or dental hygienist can better determine the causes of swollen gums and why your gums may be swollen. Malnutrition, dietary habits and vitamin deficiencies play a role in your oral and gum health. Be sure to brush your teeth and gums gently and monitor your gum health to ensure they stay pink with your pearly whites.

Swollen Gums Treatments

After a dental professional properly diagnoses swollen gums, different treatments will be recommended depending on your oral situation. If your gum disease progresses to a more advanced stage called periodontitis, your dentist or dental hygienist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating gum disease. Sometimes swollen gums can be treated with a professional procedure known as a deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planning) and regular routine dental hygiene maintenance. Sometimes one area around a tooth may become swollen and infected and may require surgical treatment.

Treating swollen gums varies on a case-by-case basis. Often, you can prevent swollen gums by being diligent with your oral care.

Home Treatment for Swollen Gums

Proper oral hygiene is an integral part of taking care of your teeth and gums. Use these home treatment tips to help prevent swollen gums:

• Brush your teeth daily and use an electric toothbrush to get a good clean around your teeth. Most electric toothbrushes have technology that allows you to use different settings to gently go over your gums and teeth with.
• Use a water flosser to give your mouth a deep clean that can help reduce gum swelling.
• Use a quality floss that won’t break and floss your teeth daily. Be sure to get around all sides of your teeth.
• Swishing your mouth with warm water can help gums and sometimes salt water is recommended too.
• Take care of your diet, reducing irritating foods like alcohol or tobacco.
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen may help reduce gum inflammation and discomfort. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication and use only as directed.

Swollen Bleeding Gums Treatment

Gums can become swollen and look like they are bleeding and appear very red. Gums may become irritated from something you eat and go away quick. If swollen bleeding gums persist, consult your dentist or dental hygienist. It can indicate more serious health issues and could lead to bigger dental problems.

Oral Care Tips to Help and Prevent Swollen Gums

Healthy gums are crucial to tooth and mouth health. In the event of gum disease (also known as gingivitis), the first line of defense is to see a dental professional. They can do a proper examination, determine the level of periodontal disease, and recommend treatments. But there are things you can do to help.

• When you brush with Oral-B iO electric toothbrushes, its gentle micro-vibrations and smart pressure sensor help you deliver an effective clean while protecting your gums. A study found that for subjects susceptible to gingival recession, an electric toothbrush was a safe option over 36 months.
• The right brush head also makes a big difference in effective cleaning without gum irritation. So, pair your toothbrush with an advanced brush head, like the Oral-B iO Gentle Care, which is designed for an effective yet gentle clean along the gumline.
• Toothpastes containing stannous fluoride, such as the Crest Gum Detoxify line, are specially formulated to target and neutralize the harmful plaque bacteria that build up around the gumline, helping to treat and prevent gingivitis.
• Mouth rinses, like Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Mouthwash, are clinically proven to provide 24-hour protection against plaque and gingivitis with twice-daily use.
• Look for a floss that resists shredding and slides easily into tight spaces, such as Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Comfort Plus Floss. To further improve your gum care routine, pair traditional string floss with an oral irrigator like the Oral-B Water Flosser which washes away bacteria along the gumline to for better gum health.

There is a connection between oral health and systemic health. That’s why, beyond helping with issues such as tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss, our products can help prevent and reduce plaque bacteria before they spread to other parts of the body.