Crunchy apples, carrots, and crisp lettuces are full of minerals and vitamins that support strong, healthy teeth and can calm inflamed gums. Bell peppers are particularly great for gum disease because of their high vitamin C levels.
Acidic items like soda, apple cider vinegar, and limes can irritate the inflamed gums and contribute to more gum recession and irritation. Highly acidic things also erode the tooth's enamel, exposing it to tooth decay. It's best to avoid or limit acidic items.
The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth, causing inflammation. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. Tooth decay (dental caries) also may result.
Salt water is one of the most commonly used remedies for oral problems. It neutralizes the mouth's pH and soothes the inflamed gums (3). It also helps to alleviate the swelling with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Swelling should not persist longer than a week or so, however. It is essential to carefully observe your gums and visit your dentist regularly, before any problems you are experiencing have time to get worse and start to hurt.
How long does it take to treat gingivitis? Patients who comply with their dentist's recommendations will often see their condition reduce dramatically within two or three weeks. More serious stages of gingivitis may take longer to see results.
But for those with gingivitis due to poor oral hygiene, the average time it takes for gingivitis to go away is about 10 to 14 days after your treatment, along with proper oral healthcare. Keep in mind that there are many, many factors that can change the timeline. For example: Severity of the gingivitis.
Fortunately, reversing gingivitis is relatively easy. As always, the best way is to maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine. This means you should brush for two minutes twice a day, floss regularly, and avoid sugary foods.
Drinking cold water can help relieve pain and swelling in your mouth. It can also help reduce inflammation in your gums.
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When gums swell around a single tooth in this way, it usually indicates an infection. This is called an abscessed tooth, and it can be very painful. If left untreated, it is possible for the infection to spread, leading to more serious dental problems.
The most common cause of inflammation is gum disease, but poor oral hygiene, improper brushing or flossing, tobacco use, medical treatments, hormone changes, and irritation from dental appliances such as dentures or braces can also play a role.
Gum Disease
These bacteria may cause your gums to become inflamed, which results in red, swollen, or bleeding gums. For many people with gingivitis, this inflammation is not painful. If you catch gingivitis early, it can be reversed and healed with proper oral hygiene.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, an infection of the tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also experience bad breath.
If you get the debris out early by brushing and flossing, the swelling may go away. If you're unable to resolve the problem on your own within a couple of days, make a visit with your dental professional. Left untreated, this can cause gum disease, which leads us to number 2...
Swollen gums are a common issue, and in most cases, they are not a cause for concern. However, swollen gums that last for longer than 1–2 days may be a sign of an underlying issue such as gingivitis,periodontitis, or a tooth abscess.
If treated promptly you may be able to avoid having the infected tooth removed. Don't stop your oral hygiene routine: Continue to brush and floss. Don't be fooled if your dental abscess stops hurting: Pain associated with a dental abscess may go away if the tooth root has died.
Time Span of an Untreated Abscess
In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more.