How to Treat Inflamed Gums

Inflamed gums or gum swelling are most often caused by gingivitis or more advances cases periodontal disease. Gingivitis can usually be remedied with proper oral hygiene and regular dental care. Inflamed or swollen gums will usually respond to treatment within a couple of weeks of good oral hygiene.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Inspect inflamed gums to see if they are receding, swollen, or bleed easily. These are warning signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Gums that pull away from the tooth easily are also indicators of a problem. If any of these signs are present, consult a dentist as soon as possible to avoid further infection and prevent tooth loss.

2. Brush regularly. Oral hygiene can correct and prevent many cases of gum inflammation and dental disease. Brush after each meal with a soft toothbrush, making sure to clean the gum-line. Aggressive scrubbing or brushing can exacerbate the problem. Regular and gentle thorough cleaning is recommended.

3. Rinse often. If an individual is unable to brush as often as they eat during the day, rinsing will help rid the mouth of harmful bacteria that can form plaque on teeth and beneath the gums until they are able to brush properly. Ask your dentist if an anti-bacterial rinse is right for you.

4. Treat inflamed gums with a saltwater rinse. Saltwater rinses can help with inflamed gums and reduce swelling. If the problem is more severe, a dentist may recommend an anti-bacterial mouth rinse.

5. Floss at least twice daily. Proper flossing will get to hard to reach places that a toothbrush is unable to clean. Floss at least twice daily, but as with brushing, do not floss aggressively or roughly as this can cause inflamed gums to become more swollen.

6. Have a dental exam twice yearly. An important part of good oral hygiene is regular cleaning and screenings by a dentist. A dentist can reach and clean further under the gums to help an individual remove plaque or tartar build-up that can cause gingivitis and inflamed gums.

Tips & Warnings

• It’s important to visit your dentist to rule out any underlying health problems that may be causing gum inflammation.

Resources

• American Dental Association

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 2/21/2009 Really good advice for treating inflamed gums. Thanks for the reminders!

[pinchy]

on 2/21/2009 good practical tips!