“What treatment is best for swollen gums?”

Start with a dental appointment for a cleaning where the gums will be evaluated. Swollen gums could be a sign of gum disease which is a leading cause of tooth loss.

It depends on what is causing the swelling. If it is an infection then an antibiotic regimen is needed, and treatment of the infected tooth or section of gums is the long term solution. If they are swollen due to lack of thorough cleaning and or periodontal disease then a deep cleaning with possible laser treatment and a prescription mouth rinse of Peridex along with brushing, flossing and waterpik set at 4 and gradually increased to 7 or 8 over the two week period. If the issue is fungal in nature then an antifungal prescription is required. You will need to visit a Doctor like myself to determine the root cause of the swelling and once an accurate diagnosis is made then treatment and necessary medications can be started. Till then Warm salt water rinses may help in certain areas, however don't delay a visit to the dentist as some mouth swelling can be related to life threatening situations if left untreated. *Bishop Family Dental* Phone: 801-274-2500