There are various potential reasons for swollen gums and some of the major contributing factors are allergies, dietary habits, injury, lifestyle changes, and lack of oral hygiene or infection. When your pink gums become swollen, they may make your day a difficult one to carry out! Gingival swelling or the commonly called swollen gums make your mouth irritated, sensitive, and sometimes even painful beyond tolerance.
The problem of swollen gums can be cured with different home remedies. Here are the top ways to deal with swollen gums:
CLOVE OIL
Scientific evidence proves the effectiveness of clove oil in killing bacteria. This is one of the popular remedies to fight against gum and tooth infection.
Here’s how to use this: Mix the oil with a pinch of black pepper and apply this mixture to the affected part. Initially, you may experience a burning sensation, but it will subside soon.
TURMERIC
Turmeric is also a good home remedy for swollen gums. It contains curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
Here’s how to use this: Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder with a little water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the gums with your clean finger and leave it on for 5 minutes. Wash it off with gentle massaging.
ALOE VERA
Another effective remedy to treat swollen and bleeding gums is aloe vera. This herb has anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties that can prevent the growth of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth and soothe inflamed gums.
Here’s how to use this: Scoop out the aloe vera gel from leaf and apply it on swollen gums. Massage it for 1-2 minutes and wash off with warm water.
LEMON WATER
The anti-inflammatory and alkalizing fresh lemon has lots of nutrients that include calcium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A and pectin fibre. It also has fine antibacterial properties. All this makes it one of the best remedies for swollen gums.
Here’s how to make lemon water and use it: Cut the lemon into two halves and squeeze its juice into the warm water. If you cannot tolerate the highly acidic activity of the whole lemon, initially use only half a lemon and increase the amount of lemon juice gradually. Now take some warm lemon water into your mouth and swirl it all around inside there and spit. You may rinse your mouth with plain water if you wish. Repeat this 2-3 times a day.
ALUM
The very popular and easily available alum is a natural mineral that has any medicinal uses due to its beneficial properties. It is anti-septic and doesn’t let the germs survive. Due to its excellent astringent properties, alum helps your skin tissue to shrink.
Here’s how to use this: Take the alum and grind it to fine powder. Now take one tsp of such fine alum powder and mix it with a glass of warm water. Rinse mouth with this solution 2-3 times a day to get rid of swollen gums.
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil contains antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties that can provide quick relief from irritated and inflamed gums.
Here’s how to use this: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in a glass of warm water. Use it as a mouthwash twice daily. Brush your teeth with toothpaste containing tea tree oil as the main ingredient to ease discomfort.
OTHER HOME REMEDIES AND TIPS:
- A good oral hygiene is very important. Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled brush. Make sure you brush at least two times a day.
- Make a paste of camphor and castor oil. Apply this paste on the swollen painful gums to get relief.
- Massage your gums and teeth with salt, 3 times a week to prevent infections and swollen gums.
- Although you may find ways to soothe the pain at home, if your swollen gums persist, it is imperative that you see a dentist. The oral disease that is potentially behind your gum inflammation can cause serious damage to your gums and teeth.