Swollen gums are a sign of gum disease (gingivitis). Swollen gums can cause you a lot of discomfort when you clean your teeth or eat food. You may even notice that they begin to bleed during flossing or brushing. If you have swollen or bleeding gums, it is important that you visit your dentist so they can offer you treatment. Below is a guide to some steps you can take to ease the pain caused by swollen gums.
Invest in a soft toothbrush
If your gums are causing you discomfort, you may be tempted to cut back on the amount of brushing you do. However, this will just make the problem worse as bacteria will thrive below the gum line, causing further irritation. You can alleviate the pain you feel during brushing by investing in a toothbrush with soft bristles. The soft bristles will sweep away any plaque and bacteria without causing you too much pain.
Use an antigingivitis toothpaste
If you have swollen and sore gums, you should think about switching from regular toothpaste to an antigingivitis toothpaste. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste is specially formulated to combat the growth of bacteria. It also contains anti-inflammatory agents which will help to reduce the swelling caused by gum disease. You can buy anti-gingivitis toothpaste from your local supermarket. If you want further advice, you should speak with your dentist.
Continue flossing
In the same way that you may not feel like brushing your teeth when you have sore gums, you may also not want to floss. However, neglecting this important part of your oral health routine will allow harmful bacteria to grow on the plaque which is trapped between your teeth and will increase the severity of your gum disease. You can avoid any unnecessary pain by using the correct flossing technique. To floss correctly, you should slide the piece of floss between your teeth and carefully curve it around the edge of each tooth before sliding it back out again.
Avoid hot or tough foods
High-temperature food can cause irritation to swollen gums. You should allow hot food to cool a little before tucking and snack on cold foods such as yoghurt which will help to soothe your gums. You should avoid tough foods such as meat or nuts, as these will can irritation as they rub against your gums.
If you have swollen and painful gums, you should see your dentist today.
