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.

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 prompt you to identify the cause and address it promptly.

Although this doesn’t always happen, the inflammation can worsen and progress to the deeper tissues surrounding the tooth, including the bone and ligaments. This stage is called periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease and the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Treating gum disease in its early stages is always easier, safer, more effective, and less costly. If it progresses to periodontitis, it can cause permanent damage that is much harder and more complex to treat.

Therefore, the best course of action when you notice signs of gum inflammation, such as swelling, is to address the issue immediately—before it’s too late.

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

To effectively treat any form of gum disease, you first need to identify and address the root cause. If you don’t, you’re only easing the symptoms without tackling the actual problem.

The main culprit is plaque—a sticky, whitish film full of bacteria that constantly builds up on your teeth and gums.

The only way to remove plaque is by physically breaking it down through a consistent oral hygiene routine.

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for a full two minutes is usually enough to keep plaque under control.

But it’s not just about brushing—it’s about using the correct technique.

You need to clean both your teeth and along the gum line to remove any trapped food or particles that may be causing inflammation.

The best way to do this is by angling your toothbrush at 45 degrees toward the gum line and using gentle circular motions. This method is known as the Modified Bass technique.

If brushing feels uncomfortable, start off gently and slowly increase as your gums recover and the soreness fades.

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.

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 further helps.

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

4. Use Salt Water Rinses

A saltwater rinse has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, perfect for sensitive and swollen gums.

Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and rinse your mouth several times a day. You can also add baking soda to make it even more effective.

5. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful and strong antibacterial. 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. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, further diluted with water at a 1:2 ratio, is safe and effective.

Here's how to use it:

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 good 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? Scurvy—a severe vitamin C deficiency—can cause swollen, bleeding gums and weaken bone support, leading to serious forms of gum disease.

Folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency is also linked to gum inflammation.

It’s just as important to limit pro-inflammatory foods—those that fuel chronic inflammation and its destructive effects. These include processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugary drinks. Such foods are harmful not only to your gums but also to your overall health.

Instead, prioritize anti-inflammatory foods, especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids. One study showed that omega-3 supplementation helps gums heal better and makes them more resistant to gum disease after treatment.

Other key nutrients for strong healthy gums include:

• B-complex vitamins: Essential for metabolism and cell function.
• Vitamin D: Helps control inflammation and strengthens bone support.
• Vitamin E: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

How Effective are Mouthwashes for Swollen Gums?

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

Manual plaque removal through brushing and flossing should always be your top priority.

Why? Because bacteria living in plaque are up to 1,000 times more resistant to antibacterial products than free-floating bacteria.

For this reason, mouthwashes are not a stand-alone treatment for gum disease. They are only effective after plaque has been disrupted by brushing and flossing.

Some mouthwashes are designed for daily use, while others are intended for short-term use.

It’s important to keep this in mind because using strong mouthwashes for too long (like chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide) can disturb the delicate balance of your oral microbiome, allowing certain harmful bacteria to thrive and potentially harm your oral health rather than improve it.

When to See Your Dentist

With consistent oral hygiene, you should see the swelling improve within 1 to 2 weeks. If the swelling persists 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 will need a professional deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing.

Persistent gum swelling 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 pimple. You might also notice a light-yellow fluid (pus) leaking from your gum line. If this is your situation, don’t delay seeing your dentist to drain the abscess and remove the trapped foreign object—that’s the only way to fully clear the infection.