Lately, you may have noticed that your gums have become swollen and sore, prompting you to make an appointment with a periodontist. If so, you can take care of your swollen gums and find some relief from your symptoms by using the following tips while waiting for your appointment.

Brush Your Teeth with Baking Soda Paste

Although you may find it uncomfortable to do so when your gums are swollen, you still need to brush your teeth and gums to remove food and keep bacteria from causing an infection. Besides switching to a soft-bristle toothbrush, try brushing your teeth with a baking soda and water paste.

The baking soda not only acts as an anti-inflammatory, but it also helps kill the germs in your mouth. To make the paste, simply mix together equal parts warm water and baking soda, and dip your toothbrush into the mixture.

Then, gently brush your teeth and gums. Let the paste sit on your gums for about a minute to give it time to work.

Floss with Water Instead of Thread

Another oral hygiene task that you may dread when your gums are sore is flossing your teeth. However, keeping the spaces between your teeth free from food particles is essential in reducing irritation of your gum tissue.

If you do not want to use thread to floss, use a water flosser instead. The gentle water pressure removes the stuck food without hurting your gums, and the gentle massaging action of the stream can help soothe your discomfort.

Rinse Your Mouth with Salt Water

Once you have brushed and flossed your teeth, another thing you can do to help treat your gums is to rinse your mouth with salt water. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of salt help kill bacteria while reducing the swelling. Plus, salt water is not as irritating as store-bought mouthwash.

To make the salt water mouth rinse, add a couple of teaspoons of table or sea salt to a half-cup of water. After the salt has dissolved for a few minutes, rinse your mouth for about a minute, making sure to push the solution between your teeth to fully coat your gums.

While using the above tips can help you take care of your swollen gums and minimize some of your discomfort, you still need to find out what is causing your symptoms. Make sure you keep your appointment with your periodontist so they can find the cause and promptly begin any necessary treatment.