Key takeaways
- Most swollen gums come from plaque and tartar irritating the gumline, which is common and very treatable.
- Trapped food, a broken tooth, pregnancy hormones and some medicines can also cause swelling.
- Warm salt-water rinses and gentle, thorough cleaning settle mild swelling within a few days.
- A painful, one-sided swelling, or one with pus, facial swelling or fever, needs prompt dental care.
Swollen gums range from a mild, general puffiness you barely notice to a tender lump that makes eating uncomfortable. Most of the time the cause is straightforward and easily treated, but swelling is also the way your mouth flags an infection, so it is worth knowing which is which. This guide walks through the common causes, what you can safely do at home, and the signs that mean you should see a dentist without delay.
What causes swollen gums?
Gums swell when the tissue becomes inflamed or irritated, and several things can set that off:
- Plaque and tartar. The most common cause by far. Build-up along the gumline irritates the gums, the early stage of gum disease.
- Trapped food or debris. A popcorn husk, a seed or a fish bone lodged between teeth can cause a sore, swollen patch until it is removed.
- A broken or decayed tooth. Damage can irritate the nearby gum and, if infection sets in, cause a painful swelling.
- Hormonal changes. Pregnancy in particular makes gums more reactive and prone to swelling, which we cover in dental care during pregnancy.
- A partly erupted wisdom tooth. The gum flap over an emerging wisdom tooth can trap food and become inflamed.
- An abscess. A localised, painful swelling, sometimes with pus, signals infection that needs prompt treatment.
Swollen gums and gums that bleed when you brush often go together, because both are signs of inflammation. The difference is that a localised, painful swelling is more likely to have a specific cause, such as an abscess or a trapped object, that needs finding.
How to relieve swollen gums at home
For mild, general swelling linked to plaque, sensible home care often settles things within a few days:
- Rinse with warm salt water two or three times a day. Half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water soothes the tissue and helps keep it clean.
- Keep cleaning, gently. It is tempting to avoid a sore area, but plaque left there makes swelling worse. Use a soft brush and clean between the teeth carefully.
- Remove anything trapped. Gentle flossing can dislodge food caught between teeth. Never dig at the gum with a sharp object.
- Avoid irritants. Tobacco, alcohol and very spicy food can aggravate inflamed gums while they recover.
What home care cannot do is remove tartar under the gumline or treat an infection, which is why swelling that does not improve needs a professional look.
When swollen gums need a dentist
See a dentist promptly, rather than waiting it out, if you notice any of these:
- A painful, localised swelling or a lump on the gum.
- Pus, a bad taste, or a spot that keeps returning in the same place.
- Swelling of the face or jaw, or a fever alongside the gum swelling.
- Swelling that follows a broken or knocked tooth.
- General puffiness that has not improved after about a week of good home care.
These can indicate an abscess or an infection that will not clear on its own, and the sooner it is treated the simpler that treatment usually is. For plaque-related swelling, a professional cleaning removes the tartar driving it and lets the gums recover.
At Prudent Dental Care Clinic in Viman Nagar, Pune, we find the specific cause of swollen gums and treat it, whether that is a cleaning, removing something trapped, or dealing with an infection. The clinic is open seven days a week from 10 AM to 8 PM, and you can book online or call.
Sources & further reading
Indian Dental Association · NHS — Dental Health · World Health Organization — Oral Health
Swollen gums FAQs
Swollen or painful gums? Do not wait it out. Call +91 70287 22200 to be seen.
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