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Is it helpful to rinse with salt water for swollen and painful gums?

Sep 13, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Liwen
Introduction
Whether gingival swelling and pain can be treated with saline solution for anti-inflammatory purposes depends on the specific situation. If the swelling and pain are caused by inflammation related to wisdom teeth, mild cases in the early stages can be resolved by rinsing with warm salt water, along with adjustments to lifestyle, rest, and dietary habits. However, if the inflammation is severe, anti-inflammatory medications and local treatments are necessary.

Many people have experienced swollen and painful gums. When gums are swollen and painful, they not only feel discomfort while eating, but may even experience pain when drinking water or opening their mouth if the symptoms are severe. So, is rinsing with salt water helpful for gum swelling and pain?

Is rinsing with salt water effective for swollen and painful gums?

Whether saline solution can effectively reduce inflammation in cases of gum swelling and pain depends on the specific cause. If the gum swelling and pain are caused by inflammation related to wisdom teeth, mild early-stage pericoronitis can be relieved or resolved through rinsing with warm salt water, along with adjustments to lifestyle, rest, and dietary habits. However, if the wisdom tooth inflammation is severe, anti-inflammatory medications and local treatments are required. If the gum swelling and pain result from a tooth root infection—indicating an underlying dental problem such as a deep cavity reaching the pulp—then saline rinses alone are ineffective. For teeth where the pulp has died and nerve inflammation exists, root canal treatment is necessary.

In addition, gum swelling and pain may also be caused by a severe periodontal abscess. In such cases, rinsing with salt water is ineffective. It's essential to remove irritants from the localized periodontal abscess, perform professional cleaning, irrigation, and apply appropriate medication locally. After the acute inflammation is under control, comprehensive periodontal treatment is needed to prevent recurrence of future abscesses. In summary, once gum abscesses, swelling, and pain occur, different treatment approaches should be taken based on the underlying cause.

Patients should also maintain good oral hygiene and avoid consuming irritating foods such as chili peppers and mustard. We hope this information helps you. Wishing you good health and a happy life.

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