I Tried Natural Remedies for Swollen Gums — Here’s What Actually Helped

A few months ago, I noticed my gums were getting puffy and sore. At first, I brushed it off (pun intended), assuming it was because I hadn’t been flossing enough. But even with better brushing, things didn’t improve. I started looking into natural remedies — not just to fix the symptoms, but to understand the root of the problem. That led me down a rabbit hole of Ayurveda, and I’m honestly glad it did.

Swollen gums aren’t just annoying — they’re painful, sometimes scary, and often a sign of deeper inflammation in the body. That’s what really clicked for me when I came across a post on LinkedIn pointing out that gum inflammation affects nearly 50% of adults. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-ayurveda_gum-inflammation-affects-nearly-50-of-adults-activity-7355605599692234753-Ibit?) I felt less alone and more curious: if it’s this common, why aren’t more people talking about natural ways to treat it?

So I tried oil pulling. It sounded weird at first — swishing oil in your mouth for 15 minutes? But after reading a few success stories, like this one on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DMp6XiLICb3/), I gave it a shot. And it worked. My mouth felt cleaner, and within a few days, the puffiness started going down. I used coconut oil, but sesame is another great option.

I also started using turmeric water to rinse and a neem-based paste a few nights a week. These two ingredients came up again and again in natural dental care, and this Pinterest board (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/895934919625983972) had some super easy DIYs that didn’t require anything fancy. I was amazed at how accessible these remedies were.

One trick I still swear by today is a paste made from clove oil and rock salt. Sounds intense, but if you’ve ever had that deep gum ache, you know how important quick relief can be. I first learned about this method in a Threads post where someone explained how they used it every night for a week with noticeable results. (https://www.threads.com/@askayurveda_24/post/DMp6XlNNH9U)

But here’s the thing: natural remedies are only part of the solution. I realized I was brushing too hard, actually hurting my gums more than helping them. That lesson hit home after I read this Facebook post reminding people that gentle brushing is more effective. (https://www.facebook.com/885804900366149/posts/1068177938795510)

I also made some diet changes — more leafy greens, more turmeric, and fewer processed snacks. That wasn’t easy (I love chips), but this tweet about the link between inflammation and food really stuck with me: (https://twitter.com/AskAyurveda_24/status/1949839842541502970). Once I made that connection, I started thinking about my whole body, not just my gums.

For anyone looking to dive deeper, I highly recommend this article on how to cure gum swelling naturally at home: https://ask-ayurveda.com/articles/1292-how-to-cure-gum-swelling-naturally-at-home. It’s from Ask Ayurveda and breaks everything down clearly — from the causes to the remedies to the small daily habits that make a big difference.

I didn’t expect a swollen gum problem to turn into a personal wellness journey, but that’s exactly what happened. I’m not perfect about every practice, but I’m way more mindful now. And that’s something.