What to do About Gum Swelling

There are a few common causes of gum inflammation that may fit your circumstances:

• Medications: If you have recently started taking medication, your swollen gums may be a side effect of the drug. Talk to your doctor about your side effects to the medication and find out if there are alternatives.
• Brand switch: If you have recently changed your brand of toothpaste or mouthwash, you may be having a reaction to one of the ingredients.
• Poor nutrition: Vitamin C deficiency in particular can cause inflamed gums, so if you haven't been eating fruits and vegetables, your diet may be to blame.
• Gingivitis: If you haven't been brushing and flossing well, this may be the issue. According to the New Zealand Dental Association, gingivitis often goes unnoticed as it is not painful, but your gums may become red, swollen and bleed while cleaning.

There are many other possible causes and contributors to gum inflammation, so discussing your symptoms with your dentist is the best way to get an accurate and complete diagnosis.

There are a number of things you can do and a few things you should not do, to ease your discomfort and decrease the swelling in your gums.

• Brush and floss regularly. If the root cause of your gum swelling is gingivitis, good oral hygiene is the first step to recovery.
• Improve your diet by adding some extra fruits and vegetables to your diet, especially those high in vitamin C.
• Rinse your mouth with a hot salt water solution. This can ease the pain if your gums are tender.
• See your dentist! Be sure to make an appointment if your gum irritation persists. A dental professional can determine the exact cause of the swelling and help you improve the health of your teeth and gums faster.

• Don't continue to use toothpastes and mouthwashes that irritate your gums. Mouthwash that contains alcohol may irritate inflamed gums. Change your toothpaste if you find it is hurting the affected area.
• Don't use alcohol and tobacco, since both those substances can irritate your gums further.
• Don't ignore the problem. Begin taking action to help reduce the swelling and see a professional to ensure the swelling in your gums isn't a symptom of something more serious.