How to Get Rid of Swollen Gums
Swollen gums can be a real pain – quite literally! In addition to being puffy or inflamed, swollen gums can also be tender and even prone to bleeding. Ion the short term, this can be caused by overvigorous brushing or exuberant flossing, particularly if you haven’t been flossing regularly for some time. If this persists for longer than a day or two, though, it is a sign that this is not due to a simple scratch or minor oral injury but rather a condition that should be evaluated by your dentist. Only after she or he has done an oral examination can it be determined if at-home care will suffice or if further treatment is required.
Causes of Swollen Gums
While gums can become swollen for a number of different reasons, from a minor injury to an underlying health condition, there are some common causes that your dentist will check for during an oral examination.
- Gum disease: The leading cause of puffy, tender gums is gum disease. Gum disease occurs when bacteria present in plaque and tartar that has built up on the teeth infect the surrounding gum tissue; over time, this infection can spread further and further, threatening the health of the gum tissue in general.
- Oral infections: Another common cause of inflamed gum tissue is infection. This could take root following an injury to the gum tissue that hasn’t fully healed, following oral surgery, or even due to an abscess that has begun to form due to some other oral problem.
- Underlying conditions: Gums can also become sore and swollen due to a whole range of underlying conditions, from pregnancy to vitamin deficiencies. In some cases, swollen gums can be a sign that a condition is not being managed properly; in others, it could be the first sign of an underlying condition that requires attention.
Treating Swollen Gums
The treatment of swollen gums depends on the cause. In the case of gum disease, a thorough cleaning is required to remove any dental detritus that may be leaching into the gums. Luckily, caught early enough, in the initial stage known as gingivitis, this is enough to reverse the course of gum disease and prevent a worsening of the condition over time. For this reason alone, it is highly recommended that one visit their dentist at the first sign of potential gum disease.
If an oral infection is causing swollen gums, antibiotics may be required, either in the form of rinses or pills. Likewise, swollen gums caused by underlying conditions will need to be treated by treating the condition itself.
There are also some things you can do at home to help heal and soothe sore gums. Brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush is the first thing; taking care to floss by wiggling the dental floss up and down along the sides of the teeth rather than jamming it straight up and down while flossing is the second. These simple adjustments can go a long way.
In terms of DIY treatments, warm compresses can help bring blood to the area and reduce pain by helping to heal damaged tissues more quickly. Likewise, twice daily saltwater rinses can help reduce bacteria present in the mouth and aid in the healing process. If the gums are painful, OTC pain medications like Advil or Tylenol can be used, as well.