How to heal my swollen gums
Swollen gums often improve with gentle plaque control, but persistent or painful swelling needs a dental examination to find its cause.
The short answer
Swollen gums usually improve when the cause is treated, such as plaque-related gingivitis, trapped food, irritation, or an infection. Brush gently along the gumline, clean between the teeth, and arrange an examination if swelling persists or is painful.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Gum swelling is enlargement of the gingival tissue around a tooth or several teeth. Plaque bacteria can inflame the gum margin, while a food impaction, a sharp filling edge, gum disease, or a dental abscess can produce swelling in one focused area.
What can you do next?
Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily, and clean between the teeth with floss or an interdental brush without forcing it into the gum. Rinse with warm salt water for short-term comfort, avoid tobacco and harsh scrubbing, and do not press or drain a lump; a dentist may remove plaque or calculus, repair an irritant, or treat decay or infection.
When should you seek dental care?
Book dental care promptly if swelling lasts more than a few days, recurs, bleeds easily, or comes with bad taste, pus, tooth pain, looseness, or fever. Seek urgent medical care for facial or neck swelling, trouble swallowing or breathing, or difficulty opening the mouth.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which tissue is swollen and whether the cause is gingivitis, periodontal disease, a trapped irritant, decay, or an abscess. Ask whether you need a professional cleaning, a filling or root canal, gum treatment, an X-ray, or a review of medicines that may enlarge the gums.
Frequently asked questions
Can swollen gums heal without treatment?
Mild plaque-related inflammation may settle with consistent cleaning, but persistent or localized swelling needs a dental examination to find and treat the cause.
Should I stop brushing the swollen area?
No. Brush it gently with a soft brush and clean between the teeth carefully unless a clinician gives different instructions.