If swollen gums have you alarmed, you’re likely looking for a quick way to treat the problem. There are several ways to approach treating swollen gums.

In most cases, swollen gums are a symptom of gingivitis. This is especially likely if your gums are swollen over most of your mouth and are not painful. If this is the case, the best treatment for your swollen gums is a good oral hygiene routine.

Be certain that you’re brushing at least twice daily, and that you floss daily as well. You should also be rinsing daily with an anti-bacterial mouthwash, since this is the best way to kill bacteria below the gum line. Killing the bacteria that forms in your mouth is critical to fighting gingivitis and swollen gums because it is these bacteria that cause gingivitis.

When bacteria are not properly removed from the mouth regularly, it forms plaque, and this plaque leads to gingivitis.

If your swollen gums are the result of gingivitis, a professional cleaning may be a big help in eliminating the problem, especially if you have not had your teeth cleaned in a while. Professional cleanings remove plaque that has already formed on the teeth, so they are an important part of keeping gingivitis at bay.

If you have had your teeth cleaned recently, another routine cleaning will not likely do you any good. However, you may want to see your dentist to determine the cause of your swollen gums. This is especially true if the swelling is localized and accompanied by pain.

If you’ve experienced swollen gums for some time, and you haven’t been seeing your dentist regularly, it is important that you step up your dental care routine. See your dentist for a checkup and cleaning and improve your at home oral hygiene routine.

Those swollen gums may be the precursor to periodontal disease, which can be quite serious. Periodontal disease, which is what follows untreated gingivitis, causes gums to recede and can cause gum infections. When gums recede, teeth can get loose and fall out. In addition, receding gums can cause nerves to be exposed, which is quite painful. Treatment of periodontal disease can be painful and expensive.

So, treat those swollen gums while they’re still just a symptom of gingivitis. Get a professional cleaning if it’s time, and be sure that you have diligent dental hygiene routine at home. Don’t let those swollen gums lead to something more serious.