[toc]Swollen gums refer to a condition when the gums become abnormally large and protruded. The enlarged gums sometimes even block the teeth completely. There are various causes for swollen gums. The most important causes are infections, poorly fitted dentures, diseases like scurvy, sensitivity to a particular toothpaste or mouthwash, gingivitis, pregnancy or as a side effect of some medication.
It is important to determine the underlying cause of the swollen gums, to treat the problem from the root. The cause also determines if the swelling is only in one part of the gum or at the entire gum line. The symptoms associated with swollen gums include bleeding from the gums, pain, bright red appearance in the gums, ulcers and receding gums.
It is important to treat swollen gums on time, and if the swelling is accompanied by high fever, difficulty in breathing and excessive bleeding, then you must immediately visit your dentist. In other cases, swollen gums can be treated using simple remedies as follows:
6 Treatments For Swollen Gums
Water
Water cleans out infection and flushes gums. It also maintains a fluid level in the mouth, as saliva is reduced in the case of gum infections. Warm water is preferable for drinking. Gargling with warm water helps in treating swollen gums.
Salt Water or saline water is also important in treating swollen gums as it is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial in nature. It reduces pain. You can gargle with salt water several times a day and it will give you relief without causing any harm.
Dietary Modification
One of the main reasons of gum infection and swelling is the food which sticks to gums. You should avoid such foods which include cakes, white bread, chocolates etc. Vitamin C deficiency is a common reason for swelling of gums. You can have juices of guava, strawberry, oranges or include any citrus fruit in your diet to cope up with Vitamin C deficiency.
Being natural antibiotic, Vitamin C fights with gum infection too. If your diet is rich in non vegetarian food like meat, there are high chances that these stick in the gap of teeth. Brush after every meal and also try to increase the vegetable content. Changes in dietary habit can help to strengthen gums as well.
Brush Properly
Brushing is the normal way to build your gums strong and keep them away from infection. You must brush your teeth atleast two times a day .You should make sure that your brush is soft which does not cause any damage to the teeth and gums. Also ensure that you do not over-brush as this can worsen the conditions.
Tea Bag
Green Tea is effective in reducing swelling. Put a tea bag in water which is boiling and let it cool down. You can put the tea bag on the affected gums and leave it there for about an hour. The tannic acid from the tea bag helps in reducing the pain and relive the infection, as it causes the pus to ooze out from the infected area.
Lemon
Lemon has essential oils which have an antimicrobial effect. It is thus useful in treating gum infections. You can use lemon and warm water to prepare a lime water.
By gargling with this water you will get relief from swelling and pain. You can also make a mixture of lemon juice and salt and apply this on the affected gums. This helps in healing the infection and also reducing the pain.
Other Methods
Clove oil is effective in treating almost all types of problems related with teeth and gums. You can apply clove oil on your swollen gums three times a day after meals or eating anything and you will notice the effect very soon. Massaging is also useful as it helps in bringing down any type of swelling in the body. In case of swollen gums, you can use your index finger to massage in a circular manner around swollen area of the gums. But before using a finger, you must wash it with soap to avoid infection.
Gargling is another effective way to clean gums and reduce swelling. You can prepare a mixture of baking soda and warm water to prepare natural mouthwash. This keeps you away from gum disease. You can use this mouthwash to gargle repeatedly to treat swollen gums.
