Diagnosis
Making a diagnosis should always begin with a precise questioning of the patient, since the dentist can already make a suspected diagnosis from the conversation, which he then investigates by further tests. Previous procedures such as root canal treatments or implantations can be an indication. New drugs may also be an indication, as some of them can cause swelling of the gums. If periodontitis is suspected, the doctor may determine the patient’s periodontal status to make this diagnosis. In other cases, it is worthwhile to take a panoramic X-ray.
Therapy
The treatment of the swelling depends of course on the cause, so it is necessary to determine it first. After the reason for the thickened gums has been identified, the further therapy can be discussed. If, for example, the cause is periodontal, periodontal treatment with several sessions may be necessary.
If, on the other hand, the inflammation is not yet very pronounced, a simple professional tooth cleaning with additional oral hygiene training may be sufficient. If an abscess is again the cause of the swelling, it must be surgically removed. If swelling occurs after an unsuccessful root canal treatment, it must be repeated to eliminate the remaining bacteria or the tooth must be extracted.
In other cases, waiting alone can eliminate the problem, as the swelling recedes by itself. As you can see, there is no single solution to the problem and, as is often the case, there is no way around a visit to the dentist. In case of slight swelling, it may be worthwhile to try to achieve an improvement with home remedies at the beginning.
These can be especially helpful in the case of inflammation. In the following some anti-inflammatory home remedies are listed that can be used. However, everyone should be aware that these cannot always help and are not miracle cures.
One of them is sage tea. Sage has been used for medical purposes for many years because of its antibacterial and disinfectant properties. By reducing the number of germs in the oral cavity, the inflammation can be relieved, which also reduces swelling.
Another remedy is tea tree oil. When using it, one should mix a few drops with water and then use it as mouth rinse. Tea tree oil also has an antimicrobial effect.
Propolis, also called bee resin, can help to minimize inflammation. With this household remedy, however, one should make sure when buying it whether it is suitable for swallowing or only intended for rinsing the mouth.However, if the household remedies do not show any effect after a few days, professional help should be sought. Homeopathy also offers remedies to help against inflammation and thus also against swollen gums.
But as with home remedies, one should not rely too much on this method. Especially if the symptoms worsen, the self-therapy should be discontinued. The preparation Mercurius solubilis or Calcium phosphoricum can be used to treat inflammation in the oral cavity. Whether or not this method is effective should be decided by each individual. Nevertheless, it is important to quickly identify a therapy failure and to look for an alternative.
