7 Tips to Reduce Swollen Gums Quickly at Home (Complete Guide)

When your gums start to swell, it’s almost always a sign of gum inflammation, known as gingivitis. This condition is so common, affecting up to 90% of the global population to some extent.

In this article, you will learn 7 tips for reducing swollen gums quickly at home and keeping them healthy to prevent future problems.

Why Should Swollen Gums be Treated

When your gums are exposed to harmful bacteria for too long, inflammation occurs. Blood vessels in the area expand to fight the bacteria, making the gums swell and turn red.

Gingivitis is easy to overlook because it often doesn’t cause pain. You might not notice it until the swelling becomes significant, or bleeding becomes more frequent.

Yet, your gums are just as important as any other part of your body. Just as you wouldn’t ignore unusual swelling on your leg or arm, swollen gums should motivate you to find the cause and address it quickly.

Left untreated, gum inflammation can worsen, eventually damaging the bone and ligaments that hold your teeth in place. The result? Teeth may loosen and even fall out.

Even more concerning is that gum disease can impact your entire body. Many studies have shown a strong link between gum disease and cardiovascular issues, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and stroke.

The good news? You can cure swollen gums effectively at home with some good oral hygiene practices.

What You Need to Know Before Treating Your Swollen Gums at Home

To effectively deal with any form of gum disease, you always need to find and address the root cause. If you don’t, you're just easing the symptoms without solving the actual problem.

The main culprit here is plaque—a sticky, whitish film loaded with bacteria that constantly builds up on our teeth and gums.

To reduce swollen gums, the first thing you need to do is to remove plaque buildup, which is your gums’ worst nightmare. The only effective way to do this is by mechanically (or manually) breaking down plaque through proper brushing and regular cleaning between your teeth.

No product on the market can replace the cleaning action of your toothbrush. While some treatments and products can help reduce inflammation and bring relief, they are meant to complement daily brushing and flossing, not replace them.

Mechanical plaque removal through brushing and flossing should be your main focus. Next, you can use chemical treatments like mouthwashes and essential oils to supplement and enhance the mechanical action.

It’s also important to remember that, unlike brushing and flossing, which you should do daily, chemical antibacterial treatments are not meant for long-term use. Whether it's antibacterial mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or essential oils, these should be used for no longer than two weeks. This way, you get the benefits without disturbing the delicate balance of your oral microbiome.

Long-term use of certain antibacterial products can cause harmful bacteria to thrive in your mouth, leading to other problems you want to avoid.

Finally, never take antibiotics on your own to treat your gums. Antibiotics are only necessary for severe forms of gum disease. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them can lead to antibiotic resistance and make your gum problem worse instead of better.

Reduce Swollen Gums Quickly at Home: 7 Tips

Here are 7 tips to reduce swollen gums quickly and safely at home:

1. Brush Your Teeth Properly

Brushing your teeth is the most fundamental step in maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day for a full two minutes to remove plaque and keep it under control. Less plaque means less inflammation and less swelling.

But it’s not just about brushing—it's about using the correct technique. If your gums are swollen, start gently. Brush both your teeth and gums to remove any trapped food or particles that may be causing the inflammation.

The best brushing technique for removing plaque and preventing gum inflammation is the Modified Bass technique. Here’s how to use it:

1. Hold the toothbrush parallel to your teeth.
2. Tilt the brush to a 45-degree angle.
3. Angle the bristles slightly under the gumline.
4. Apply firm yet gentle pressure and use circular motions, brushing each area 15 to 20 times before moving to the next.
5. Brush all the front surfaces of your teeth, then clean the backside using the same circular motions.
6. For the inside of your front teeth, hold the toothbrush vertically and brush up and down.
7. Finally, brush the chewing surfaces of your back teeth.

2. Consider an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and cleaning thoroughly compared to manual ones. They use 6,000 to 30,000 strokes per minute, whereas most people using manual brushes average around 200 strokes.

This doesn’t mean you absolutely need an electric toothbrush. If you’re comfortable with your manual toothbrush and know how to use it properly, that’s perfectly fine. Just be sure to replace it every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if it starts to fray and wear out.

However, if you’re looking for something more convenient, easier, and more effective, an electric toothbrush is worth considering.

3. Clean Between Your Teeth

Cleaning between your teeth once a day removes plaque from areas that your toothbrush can't reach. These account for about 40% of your teeth surfaces!

You can use whichever tool you feel most comfortable with: dental floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser.

For sensitive and swollen gums, I particularly recommend water flossers. They are proven to reduce gum inflammation more effectively than other techniques and are gentler on sore gums. Plus, the high-pressure water jet stimulates blood flow, which is a good bonus for gum health.

You may notice some bleeding when you first start cleaning between your teeth. This is perfectly normal since the gums in these areas are likely inflamed due to plaque buildup. As the inflammation subsides, the bleeding and swelling will decrease, and your gums will feel firmer and healthier.

4. Use Salt Water Rinses

A saltwater rinse has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective way to relieve sensitive, swollen gums.

To do this, mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and rinse your mouth a few times a day. You can rinse 3 to 4 times daily, or even more often if you can tolerate the salty taste.

5. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antiseptic that's highly effective at killing oral bacteria. It's the same product dentists use to treat infections and severe forms of gum disease.

However, because hydrogen peroxide is so strong, it's important to use low concentrations that are safe for home use—between 3% to 6%. Keep in mind that it affects all oral bacteria, both good and bad, so don’t use it for more than 7 consecutive days to avoid ruining your healthy oral microbiome.

To use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse:

1. Get a 3% hydrogen peroxide bottle from a drugstore.
2. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water (for example, 5 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and 10 teaspoons of water).
3. Rinse your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds.
4. Spit it out and do not swallow.

6. Use Essential Oils

Plants produce essential oils to protect themselves from various threats, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These protective properties can also help heal and strengthen your gums.

To reduce swollen gums, choose essential oils with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Some of the most effective options are cloves, rosemary, tea tree, and spearmint.

Here’s the best and safest way to use them at home:

1. Choose a carrier oil such as coconut, sesame, or almond oil.
2. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to 1 tablespoon of the carrier oil.
3. Apply the mixture directly to your gums and leave it on for at least 5 minutes.
4. Spit it out and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

7. Get the Essential Nutrients Your Gums Need

Did you know that gum inflammation can be a sign of nutrient deficiency? For instance, scurvy—a vitamin C deficiency—can cause swollen, bleeding gums and affect bone support, leading to loose teeth and even tooth loss.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps with collagen synthesis. Collagen is crucial for healthy bones, gums, and teeth. So, be sure to meet your daily vitamin C needs. Other key vitamins include:

• B-complex vitamins: Vital for metabolism and cell function.
• Vitamin D: Helps regulate inflammation and strengthens bone support.
• Vitamin E: An anti-aging antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

Also, prioritize anti-inflammatory foods over pro-inflammatory ones. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, have been shown to improve gum health. One study showed that omega-3 supplements help gums heal better and become more resistant after treatment.

On the other hand, too much omega-6 fatty acids (mainly from vegetable oils) can increase inflammation and harm gum health.

The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is around 4:1, which is often difficult to achieve due to the high consumption of fast and processed foods. For instance, modern American diets often have a ratio of 10 to 1, and sometimes even as high as 30 to 1.

In fact, it’s no surprise that foods that promote inflammation also harm your health and increase the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

When to See Your Dentist

With consistent oral hygiene, you should see the swelling reduce within 1 to 2 weeks. If the swelling continues or worsens despite your best home efforts, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Persistent swelling could be a sign of advanced gum disease, called periodontitis. This happens when inflammation reaches the bone and ligaments around your teeth, causing the spaces between your teeth and gums to widen. These spaces are known as periodontal pockets, and cannot be cleaned with a regular toothbrush. If you have these, you may need a professional deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing.

If swelling doesn’t improve, it might also be due to an abscess. This occurs if something like food or a small toothbrush bristle gets stuck in your gums, causing painful swelling and a noticeable ball-like bump. You might also see a light-yellow discharge (pus) from your gum line. If this happens, don't delay visiting your dentist to drain the abscess and remove the trapped foreign object.