Written By Kassandra Foreman / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Swollen gums are likely to occur at some point due to the wide range of causes. There are several treatment options both at home and in a dental office. Often finding the right cause won’t change the suggested treatment so some options can begin at home as soon as swelling is noticed and can continue until the problem is corrected.

When the teeth or gums are irritated, infected, have food particles stuck around or between them or are dry, the gums can swell in response. To find the direct cause it may be necessary to see a dentist, but first check for anything that is around the teeth that shouldn’t be.

Flossing and brushing for swollen gums

Flossing the teeth well can free many pieces of food or buildup from between the teeth and between the teeth and gums. Followed by a regular brushing this can solve swollen gums quickly and easily where that is the cause.

In other situations there may be a larger health concern present, such as infection, trauma to the area, or use of tobacco or alcohol. These can cause swelling in the gums and may affect the health of the teeth if left untreated.

Dental visits for swollen gums

To keep gums healthy and happy it is important to see a dentist when there is a trauma to the face, mouth, or teeth to ensure that there is no damage and ensure the gums are treated for any needs so they are able to surround the teeth as required and keep tooth loss minimal.

Infections will require antibiotic treatment to clear the infection and return gums to their healthy state.

When you discover swollen gums at home and are unable to locate the cause, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to rule out infection and gum disease. This will require medicated mouthwashes or other products to rid the infection and protect the teeth from damage.

To ease the discomfort and swelling while awaiting a dentist appointment, or when the case is mild and you know the cause, a saltwater rinse can be used. Add regular table salt to a cup of water and swish it around the mouth and between the teeth.

This can be done two or three times each day and can encourage gums to heal themselves as well as help draw out any infection that is beginning.

Some essential oils such as thyme, peppermint, and clove, and tea tree oil have been suggested to be diluted into a mouthwash to reduce swelling and inflammation in gums while also removing plaque from the teeth. Other options include using an aloe gel or a turmeric gel mixture to ease the inflammation of swollen gums.

When gums become swollen we may not know exactly what has caused it but we can begin to treat it and ease the discomfort that is felt. When gums are sore, chewing becomes difficult, and gums bleed or appear a different color than normal. Dental assistance should be found as soon as possible.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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