How to Reduce Gum Swelling
Identify the cause of your swollen gums., Gently brush using swirling, circular motions, but avoid sideways action., Floss between your teeth once a day., Rinse out your mouth with a saltwater solution., Use warm and cold compresses., Avoid gum...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Identify the cause of your swollen gums.
Gums can become swollen for a variety of reasons, though in many cases the condition can be a sign of gum disease.
It is important that you identify the cause of the swelling, so that you can pursue the correct course of action — either caring for your gums at home, or making an appointment to see a dentist.
Some common causes include:
Incorrect brushing or flossing techniques.
In many cases, swollen gums are the result of poor oral hygiene, where plaque is allowed to build up between the teeth and at the gum line.
To overcome this, you will need to start brushing teeth thoroughly and flossing regularly to remove excess plaque.
In addition, many people who do floss between their teeth do it too roughly, which can also cause swelling.
Gingivitis and periodontitis.
If good oral hygiene is not maintained, gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis can easily develop.
Gingivitis is the less severe form, and can be reversed if caught early.
Periodontitis, on the other hand, is more serious and can lead to tooth loss.
If gums look red, shiny and swollen, then you have gingivitis.
The next stage is gum recession and bone loss, which defines periodontitis.
If you suspect you might have either of these gum diseases, you should consult a dentist.
Mouth ulcers.
Mouth ulcers which form on the gums can lead to pain and swelling.
You can usually identify mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, by their appearance; they will have a whitish center and red edges.
Multiple mouth ulcers can appear at once, but they are usually treatable and non-contagious.
Chemotherapy.
One of the many unfortunate side effects of chemotherapy is painful, swollen and bleeding gums.
It can also cause the growth of painful ulcers and sores on the gums due to a weakened immune system.
Although these symptoms can be relieved, they will not stop while chemotherapy treatment continues.
Tobacco.
Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products commonly contributes to painful, swollen gums.
In fact, people who use tobacco products are far more likely to develop gum disease than non-tobacco users.
As a result, the first step in relieving swollen gums is quitting smoking.
Hormones.
Swollen gums may be the result of an upsurge in the release of hormones which increase blood flow to the gums.
These hormones include those which are produced during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Certain birth control pill may also release these hormones. -
Step 2: Gently brush using swirling
Make sure you brush the top chewing surfaces, fronts and backs of teeth (next to the tongue) — mostly up the bottom teeth and down top ones.
As mentioned above, swollen gums can often be the result of built-up plaque on the teeth.
The best-case scenario is to remove plaque and avoid gum disease, as you easily rectify the problem with gentle, yet thorough brushing and flossing.
You should aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day, morning and evening, and following meals, if possible.
Use a soft nylon-bristle toothbrush.
This will effectively clean teeth without causing further irritation.
Avoid toothbrushes with medium or hard bristles, as these can cause gums to swell further and can even erode and scratch tooth enamel.
No, brushing harder does not mean brushing better.
Gums are made of delicate tissue, so brushing too hard will do them more harm than good.
Avoid brushing in a vigorous back-and-forth motion which does not follow the grooves between teeth.
A bad brushing technique that uses increased force is as dangerous as not brushing at all.
Many patients develop root exposure and increased sensitivity after brushing too hard.
Choose a gum-protecting toothpaste which is designed to help prevent gingivitis.
Most major toothpaste brands produce a gingivitis-fighting version. , Flossing daily removes the plaque a toothbrush cannot reach, but avoid flossing more than this, as it may irritate gums further.
Flossing is neglected by many people, but even those who do floss may be aggravating their swollen gums by doing it too roughly.
Avoid "snapping" the floss in between your teeth, as this can damage fragile gum tissue.
Instead try to slide the floss carefully between teeth, following the curve of each tooth as you go., Gargling a saltwater solution is the oldest trick in the book when it comes to reducing swollen gums, but it is still one of the most effective.
The salt works as an antibacterial agent, ridding the mouth of contaminants and soothing inflamed gums.
Gargle and swish:
Make your own saltwater solution, dissolving a teaspoon of regular table salt in a cup of warm water.
Swish it all around the mouth, between teeth; so that it reaches the gums.
Do not swallow the salty water — use it as a mouthwash.
The saltwater solution can also be gargled to ease a sore throat, and used to clean new piercings and disinfect wounds.
You may have luck gargling with hot water, as well.
Just be careful not to burn your mouth. , Warm and cold compresses can be used to provide easy and immediate relief to sore and swollen gums.
Warm compresses are best for relieving pain, while cold compresses will effectively reduce swelling.
Hold the compresses against your face rather than against the gums themselves, as this is less awkward and prevents the gums from becoming further irritated by sudden changes in temperature.
To make a hot compress:
Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring out the excess moisture, then hold it against your face until the pain begins to subside.
To make a cold compress:
Wrap a couple of ice cubes in a small, clean cloth or a paper towel.
Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables (like frozen peas) or a special cold pack that has been stored in the freezer.
Hold the compress against your face for no more than 15 minutes. , While your gums are sore and swollen, it is important that you avoid any substances that are going to exacerbate the swelling, such as tobacco products and alcohol.
In addition, harsh mouthwashes — which you may be using to disinfect your mouth — can actually aggravate swollen gums, so you should also try taking a break from them for a while.
Always dilute the mouthwash, adding half a cup of water to half a cup of mouthwash.
You can use it two weeks in a row and then take a break for a week before you repeat the treatment. , Drinking lots of water will help to flush food residue and bacteria from your mouth, limiting the development of more plaque.
In addition, drinking water will stimulate the production of saliva, which naturally helps to kill bacteria., A gentle gum massage can help to ease pain and reduce inflammation by increasing blood circulation in the gums.
Use a gentle, circular motion to massage the the swollen gums for about one minute.
Remember to wash your hands before doing this and ensure that your fingernails are clean and clipped short.
This will help to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Try buying a gum stimulator if you find it difficult to use your fingers. , Clove oil is one natural treatment for swollen gums that has been proven effective in decreasing pain and reducing inflammation.
Simply apply a little clove oil directly to the swollen gums three times a day using a q-tip.
Alternatively, you can place a few drops of the clove oil into a cup of water and swish it around your mouth.
Clove oil can be found in most drug stores and health food stores. -
Step 3: circular motions
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Step 4: but avoid sideways action.
-
Step 5: Floss between your teeth once a day.
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Step 6: Rinse out your mouth with a saltwater solution.
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Step 7: Use warm and cold compresses.
-
Step 8: Avoid gum irritants.
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Step 9: Drink plenty of water.
-
Step 10: Try gently massaging your gums.
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Step 11: Apply some clove oil.
Detailed Guide
Gums can become swollen for a variety of reasons, though in many cases the condition can be a sign of gum disease.
It is important that you identify the cause of the swelling, so that you can pursue the correct course of action — either caring for your gums at home, or making an appointment to see a dentist.
Some common causes include:
Incorrect brushing or flossing techniques.
In many cases, swollen gums are the result of poor oral hygiene, where plaque is allowed to build up between the teeth and at the gum line.
To overcome this, you will need to start brushing teeth thoroughly and flossing regularly to remove excess plaque.
In addition, many people who do floss between their teeth do it too roughly, which can also cause swelling.
Gingivitis and periodontitis.
If good oral hygiene is not maintained, gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis can easily develop.
Gingivitis is the less severe form, and can be reversed if caught early.
Periodontitis, on the other hand, is more serious and can lead to tooth loss.
If gums look red, shiny and swollen, then you have gingivitis.
The next stage is gum recession and bone loss, which defines periodontitis.
If you suspect you might have either of these gum diseases, you should consult a dentist.
Mouth ulcers.
Mouth ulcers which form on the gums can lead to pain and swelling.
You can usually identify mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, by their appearance; they will have a whitish center and red edges.
Multiple mouth ulcers can appear at once, but they are usually treatable and non-contagious.
Chemotherapy.
One of the many unfortunate side effects of chemotherapy is painful, swollen and bleeding gums.
It can also cause the growth of painful ulcers and sores on the gums due to a weakened immune system.
Although these symptoms can be relieved, they will not stop while chemotherapy treatment continues.
Tobacco.
Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products commonly contributes to painful, swollen gums.
In fact, people who use tobacco products are far more likely to develop gum disease than non-tobacco users.
As a result, the first step in relieving swollen gums is quitting smoking.
Hormones.
Swollen gums may be the result of an upsurge in the release of hormones which increase blood flow to the gums.
These hormones include those which are produced during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Certain birth control pill may also release these hormones.
Make sure you brush the top chewing surfaces, fronts and backs of teeth (next to the tongue) — mostly up the bottom teeth and down top ones.
As mentioned above, swollen gums can often be the result of built-up plaque on the teeth.
The best-case scenario is to remove plaque and avoid gum disease, as you easily rectify the problem with gentle, yet thorough brushing and flossing.
You should aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day, morning and evening, and following meals, if possible.
Use a soft nylon-bristle toothbrush.
This will effectively clean teeth without causing further irritation.
Avoid toothbrushes with medium or hard bristles, as these can cause gums to swell further and can even erode and scratch tooth enamel.
No, brushing harder does not mean brushing better.
Gums are made of delicate tissue, so brushing too hard will do them more harm than good.
Avoid brushing in a vigorous back-and-forth motion which does not follow the grooves between teeth.
A bad brushing technique that uses increased force is as dangerous as not brushing at all.
Many patients develop root exposure and increased sensitivity after brushing too hard.
Choose a gum-protecting toothpaste which is designed to help prevent gingivitis.
Most major toothpaste brands produce a gingivitis-fighting version. , Flossing daily removes the plaque a toothbrush cannot reach, but avoid flossing more than this, as it may irritate gums further.
Flossing is neglected by many people, but even those who do floss may be aggravating their swollen gums by doing it too roughly.
Avoid "snapping" the floss in between your teeth, as this can damage fragile gum tissue.
Instead try to slide the floss carefully between teeth, following the curve of each tooth as you go., Gargling a saltwater solution is the oldest trick in the book when it comes to reducing swollen gums, but it is still one of the most effective.
The salt works as an antibacterial agent, ridding the mouth of contaminants and soothing inflamed gums.
Gargle and swish:
Make your own saltwater solution, dissolving a teaspoon of regular table salt in a cup of warm water.
Swish it all around the mouth, between teeth; so that it reaches the gums.
Do not swallow the salty water — use it as a mouthwash.
The saltwater solution can also be gargled to ease a sore throat, and used to clean new piercings and disinfect wounds.
You may have luck gargling with hot water, as well.
Just be careful not to burn your mouth. , Warm and cold compresses can be used to provide easy and immediate relief to sore and swollen gums.
Warm compresses are best for relieving pain, while cold compresses will effectively reduce swelling.
Hold the compresses against your face rather than against the gums themselves, as this is less awkward and prevents the gums from becoming further irritated by sudden changes in temperature.
To make a hot compress:
Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring out the excess moisture, then hold it against your face until the pain begins to subside.
To make a cold compress:
Wrap a couple of ice cubes in a small, clean cloth or a paper towel.
Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables (like frozen peas) or a special cold pack that has been stored in the freezer.
Hold the compress against your face for no more than 15 minutes. , While your gums are sore and swollen, it is important that you avoid any substances that are going to exacerbate the swelling, such as tobacco products and alcohol.
In addition, harsh mouthwashes — which you may be using to disinfect your mouth — can actually aggravate swollen gums, so you should also try taking a break from them for a while.
Always dilute the mouthwash, adding half a cup of water to half a cup of mouthwash.
You can use it two weeks in a row and then take a break for a week before you repeat the treatment. , Drinking lots of water will help to flush food residue and bacteria from your mouth, limiting the development of more plaque.
In addition, drinking water will stimulate the production of saliva, which naturally helps to kill bacteria., A gentle gum massage can help to ease pain and reduce inflammation by increasing blood circulation in the gums.
Use a gentle, circular motion to massage the the swollen gums for about one minute.
Remember to wash your hands before doing this and ensure that your fingernails are clean and clipped short.
This will help to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Try buying a gum stimulator if you find it difficult to use your fingers. , Clove oil is one natural treatment for swollen gums that has been proven effective in decreasing pain and reducing inflammation.
Simply apply a little clove oil directly to the swollen gums three times a day using a q-tip.
Alternatively, you can place a few drops of the clove oil into a cup of water and swish it around your mouth.
Clove oil can be found in most drug stores and health food stores.
About the Author
Frank Wells
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow cooking tutorials.
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