If you’ve noticed that you have swollen gums, you may be alarmed, and worry that something is terribly wrong. But, don’t worry; swollen gums are quite common.

Though swollen gums are common, they are a sign that you should not ignore. It’s important to get to the root of what’s causing your gums to swell, and to treat the underlying cause.

The reason that swollen gums are so common is that they are one of the primary symptoms of gingivitis, which is the most common oral hygiene problem. Swollen gums are often noticed as one of the first and least serious symptoms of the disease.

When swollen gums are caused by gingivitis, it’s time to examine your dental care routine. Are you brushing at least twice a day? Do you floss daily? Do you rinse at least once a day with an anti-bacterial mouthwash? Do you see your dentist for cleanings twice a year?

If you answered “no” to any of those questions, there’s room for improvement in your dental hygiene routine. All of those steps are necessary for keeping gingivitis at bay. Here’s why:

Gingivitis is caused when bacteria is not regularly removed from the mouth. This bacteria forms plaque on the teeth and this plaque leads to symptoms like swollen gums, bad breath and gums that bleed when you brush.

Your daily at home dental care routine must remove the bacteria from your mouth daily to prevent the formation of plaque. If you’re not brushing, flossing and rinsing diligently and daily, you’re leaving behind too much bacteria. Stepping up your routine can significantly reduce the bacteria in your mouth, and thus, the plaque that forms there.

Professional dental cleanings are important, too, because they can remove the plaque that has already formed and hardened onto the teeth. So, both your at home care, and the care of your dentist are important to getting rid of gingivitis.

Swollen gums can also commonly be caused by food that is lodged between teeth or under the gum line. This often causes soreness, and causes gums to be swollen just around the tooth where the food is lodged. Removing the food and rinsing a few times with salt water or hydrogen peroxide should alleviate the problem.

Whenever you notice a change in your oral health, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist. Though swollen gums are quite common; it’s still important to take care of them before they turn into something more serious.