How to Get Rid of Swollen Gums?
When you are trying to relieve your swollen gums you can look to the dentist for professional treatment and there are actions you can take at home. Both ways will help sooth your symptom and address the root cause of your swollen gums. If your gums are swollen for a week or more, be sure to make an appointment with the dentist to make sure that you are not experiencing a serious health issue.
Professional Treatment
Once your gums have been swollen consistently without relief for a week or more, you need to make an appointment with the dentist. During the exam, the dentist will ask questions about your other symptoms, any medical conditions you have, and the frequency of your symptoms. The dentist may need to complete x-rays of your full mouth to check for problems that are below the gumline or within your teeth. Depending on your case, the dentist may need to order blood tests or check for pregnancy. If you have swollen gums as a result of gum disease, the dentist may need to review the best ways to take care of your mouth at home between appointments. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, the dentist may suggest a deep cleaning or a procedure called scaling and root planing. The dentist will carefully clean your teeth both above and below the gum line to remove any plaque, calculus, bacteria, and debris allowing your gums to heal and relieve their swelling. If you are experiencing an infection, then the dentist may need to prescribe antibiotics to treat it properly.
At Home Treatment
The first way to take care of your mouth and prevent gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush and floss. Most of the time gum swelling indicates some stage of gum disease so your efforts between twice yearly dental appointments make a difference.
- Ensure the type of toothpaste, toothbrush, and oral rinse are the best options for your mouth and do not have ingredients that are irritating or you are allergic to.
- Any type of tobacco product that contains nicotine will cause swelling in your gums and affects all of your tissues causing inflammation.
- Any type of alcoholic beverage can irritate your gums and help the bacteria to grow.
- Taking care to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and drinking plenty of water will help your oral health and overall health improve by helping your diet stay rich in vitamins and minerals you regularly need.
- Foods and drinks that are high in sugar or are heavily processed cause inflammation in your gums and the rest of your body.
- You could try to use a salt water rinse, hydrogen peroxide rinses, water and cold compresses, essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and thyme can help calm your gums. Turmeric can decrease inflammation in your gums and provide your body with important antioxidants.
Most importantly do not ignore this important signal that your body is not 100% healthy.