How To Prevent And Treat Swollen Gums

The best way to prevent swollen gums is by eating a balanced diet and practicing good oral hygiene each and every day.Keeping oral bacteria in balance will prevent the body's need to respond to infection, omitting the symptom of swollen gums. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables and omitting sugar intake will reduce the bacteria in your mouth that causes swollen gums. Be sure to brush twice each day gently along the gum lines and floss properly to prevent plaque buildup and inflammation. Additional aids such as the use of essential oils can also reduce plaque.

You may also be at an increased rate to develop swollen gums if you have oral appliances that you wear such as braces, dentures, partials, bridges or retainers. If the appliance can be removed, do so each day for thorough cleaning to prevent the risk of infection. You may need additional appliances to keep permanent fixtures (such as braces or bridges) clean on a routine basis.

Conventional Treatment

Your dentist may choose to prescribe mouth rinse or an antibiotic to help get rid of swollen gums.

Dental cleanings can help remove calcified bacterial deposits such as tartar or hard to reach plaque, allowing the swelling to reverse itself and for you to keep your gums clean at home.

If gum swelling is severe, surgical or laser therapy may be needed to remove excess tissue.

Home Remedies

Essential Oil Clinical studies have shown that using essential oil as part of your oral care routine may actually be just as good as flossing when it comes to reducing swollen gums.

Electric Tooth Brushing High-quality electric brushes are more efficient at removing plaque bacteria than manual toothbrushes, allowing you to have a better chance of reducing swollen gums.

Water Flossing Using an oral irrigation device such as a water flosser can be more efficient than traditional flossing when it comes to removing bacterial plaque, which causes swollen gums.

Traditional Brushing and Flossing The key to brushing and flossing is not rushing and taking enough time to thoroughly remove bacteria from the teeth. Angle the toothbrush toward the gums and gently brush side to side, focusing on two teeth at a time. Spend no less than two minutes twice each day brushing your teeth and gums. When flossing, wrap the floss tightly around the tooth and slide it up and down under the gums several times to remove subgingival plaque.

Antiseptic Mouth Rinse Over-the-counter mouth rinses can alleviate mild gingivitis symptoms. They may also contain alcohol that can sting or dry out the mouth. A dry mouth can be a preferred breeding ground for harmful bacteria. For this reason it is recommended to avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol. Use 100% pure botanical mouthwash instead.

Swollen Gums Are Usually Caused By Bacteria
Remedies for swollen gums are the same as those used for treating gingivitis and gum disease. Because swollen gums are associated with redness, bleeding and other symptoms of bacterial-induced gum disease, when you want to understand how to treat swollen gums you should understand how to treat gum disease as a whole.

More Facts About Swollen Gums

Your gums are most likely swollen due to an inflammatory response to infection or bacterial plaque around your teeth. To cure swollen, inflamed gums you must keep the area as clean and healthy as possible, reversing the inflammatory response. Proper brushing, flossing, water flossing, nutritional supplements and essential oils are all effective methods to reverse inflammation.

You can get rid of swollen gums naturally. In fact, all dental professionals recommend that you heal your swollen gums on your own, by cleaning the area effectively and using oral hygiene aids or supplements as needed.

Its not common to have gingival inflammation associated with pregnancy or birth control use due to the hormonal balances in your body. If actual gum disease is present there is extra cause for alarm, as untreated gum disease can increase your risk for premature labor and low birth weight infants.

Inflamed gums have an extra supply of antibodies in the area, which travel through the bloodstream. This means there is also an increased supply of blood to your gums. Cleaning the area will allow blood to cross over the bacterial barrier until the area begins to heal.

Swelling is typically caused by infection, and bacteria cause infection. Cleaning infected areas typically causes mild discomfort, but doing so efficiently each day will quickly help alleviate the tenderness during future cleaning.

Certain medications such as blood pressure medication can cause gum tissue to grow. The tissue appears swollen, but it is very firm. Its recommended that you do not discontinue your medication but rather discuss this concern with your medical doctor.

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. 

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.