Wat is ontstoken tandvlees? Oorzaken en behandelingen

What to do about inflamed gums?

Depending on how far the inflammation has progressed, it may be necessary to visit the dentist. However, in the early stages, gingivitis can easily be treated at home. Here, we show you what helps if your gums are inflamed and how you can prevent gingivitis.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the medical term for inflamed gums. In most cases of gum inflammation, the cause is bacterial plaque1; however, gingivitis can also be caused by toothpicks or hard food particles, viral or fungal infections, and burns. Typical symptoms of gingivitis are redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums1 , but you should also pay close attention if you suffer from receding gums – that can also be a symptom.

Unlike periodontitis (advanced gum inflammation in which the supporting tissues around the teeth are also affected), gingivitis can heal completely, provided you act quickly and carefully. Because it is difficult for laypeople to distinguish periodontitis from gingivitis, it is advisable to visit the dentist if you suffer from the above-mentioned symptoms.

What to do about inflamed gums?

If your gums are inflamed, you must act quickly so that the inflammation does not spread and develop into periodontitis . As you probably already suspect, good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent and combat inflamed gums. Moreover, this helps prevent various other dental and gum problems. These include:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day: Regular and thorough brushing removes bacterial plaque and thus prevents gum inflammation. Use a good electric toothbrush that can remove plaque even in hard-to-reach places, such as the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige . The special gum-care brush head adapts to the contours of your gums and helpsmaintain your gum health .
• Cleaning between your teeth: Bacteria like to accumulate in the spaces between your teeth. Clean these daily with dental floss or with a special interdental cleaner such as the Philips Sonicare Pozwer Flosser .
• Removing tongue coating: Use a tongue scraper to remove bacterial buildup from your tongue.

Tip: You can also buy a special ointment for gum inflammation at the pharmacy, which helps to relieve the painful symptoms.

What to do for gum inflammation: home remedies

In addition to thorough oral hygiene, there are various home remedies that can help combat inflamed gums. Including:

• Chamomile and sage tea : Both herbs are said to have antibacterial properties. Rinse your mouth with the tea several times a day.
• Apple cider vinegar: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and rinse your mouth with it several times a day. Apple cider vinegar is said to be antibacterial. However, the acid in the vinegar can also damage your teeth, so it is best not to do this too often 2 .
• Clove oil: A mouthwash with clove oil is said to be pain-relieving and antibacterial for inflamed gums.

As you can see, inflamed gums in an early stage1 can easily be treated at home, provided you act quickly as soon as you notice symptoms such as redness, swelling, or bleeding gums. Take good care of your mouth and teeth and don't give dental disease a chance.¹²