gum swelling

Question

A few weeks ago, I started noticing some discomfort in my gums, especially while brushing. At first, I thought maybe I was brushing too hard, but then I realized that my gums looked red and puffy. Over the last few days, the gum swelling has gotten worse, and now they feel sore even when I’m not eating or brushing. Sometimes, I even see a little bit of blood when I spit out my toothpaste.

I went to the dentist, and he said it could be the early stage of gingivitis. He told me to improve my oral hygiene and prescribed a mouthwash, but I don’t want to just rely on that. I feel like this gum swelling might be connected to something deeper, maybe digestion or diet. My eating habits haven’t been great—I eat a lot of spicy and processed foods, and I barely drink enough water. Could that be making my gum swelling worse?

I started reading about Ayurveda and how it looks at oral health as part of overall body balance. Does Ayurveda have natural treatments for gum swelling? Are there any herbal remedies or oils that can help reduce inflammation and strengthen the gums? I’ve heard about oil pulling with coconut or sesame oil, but does it actually work for gum swelling?

Also, I have a bit of a coated tongue in the mornings, which makes me think my digestion isn’t great. Can poor gut health cause gum swelling too? Should I change my diet to help with this? If anyone has treated gum swelling with Ayurveda, what worked for you? How long did it take to see improvement? I want to heal this naturally before it gets worse.

Dr. Harsha Joy · Answer

In Ayurveda, gum swelling like you're experiencing is often linked to an imbalance in the Pitta dosha, which governs heat and inflammation in the body. Poor digestion and diet can exacerbate this, as consuming spicy, processed foods and not drinking enough water can increase internal heat, leading to inflammation in the gums. To address this naturally, oil pulling with sesame or coconut oil is highly recommended—it helps remove toxins and reduce gum inflammation. You can also use herbal powders like Triphala or Neem to rinse your mouth, as they have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Improving your digestion by incorporating cooling, hydrating foods like cucumbers, melons, and greens can also help. Additionally, drinking warm water throughout the day and avoiding excessive heat-inducing foods can help balance Pitta. If you consistently follow these Ayurvedic practices, you should start seeing improvement in your gum health over time.

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