Which Medicine Is Best for Gum Swelling? Real Relief Tips

When your gums swell and you're over it already

Okay, let’s be real for a sec. Swollen gums are the absolute worst. They hurt when you brush, they make your breath weird, and eating becomes a chore (especially crunchy stuff — goodbye chips).

Last month, I had this random inflammation near my lower molars. I thought it’d go away with a quick rinse. Spoiler: it didn’t. I ended up googling everything under the sun, talking to my dentist friend Claire, and yes — testing a few meds myself.

So if your gums are puffy, painful, or bleeding a bit, let’s break down what actually helps, what’s meh, and what you might be missing.

The go-to over-the-counter medicines for gum swelling

Ibuprofen: your first line of defense

Honestly, this is what Claire (my dentist pal) recommended first. And it works. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation and eases the pain.

Why it’s good:

• Fast-acting

• Also helps if your swelling is related to wisdom teeth or infection

Just don’t take it on an empty stomach — learned that the hard way. Nausea city.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen): pain relief without the anti-inflam

This one is great if ibuprofen is off-limits for you (like if you have stomach issues or asthma). It helps with pain but doesn’t actively reduce inflammation. So it’s kind of a half-solution, but still better than nothing.

Use it if:

• Your swelling is mild

• You’re sensitive to NSAIDs

But yeah, for real gum inflammation? Combine it with rinsing and local care (we’ll get to that).

Mouthwashes and topical gels that actually help

Chlorhexidine mouthwash (0.12% or 0.2%)

This stuff is gold standard in dental care when it comes to fighting bacteria. But it’s not candy. Use it properly:

• Twice daily, after brushing

• Don’t rinse with water right after

• Avoid coffee/tea for 30 mins (I failed at this — hello brown teeth)

Be warned though: long-term use can stain your teeth. I used it for 10 days and saw results fast.

Oral gels with benzocaine or lidocaine

If you need fast numbing, gels like Orajel or Bonjela (depending on where you live) help with pain relief directly on the gum.

Good for:

• Localized gum swelling

• Painful ulcers or cuts in the mouth

Don’t overdo it though. Once I applied it four times in an hour. My whole cheek felt like it belonged to someone else.

Antibiotics: only when things get serious

Not your DIY solution!

Let me say this straight: don’t just pop antibiotics because your gums are swollen. They’re useful only when:

• There's an actual infection (dentist will confirm)

• You have pus, severe pain, fever, or lymph node swelling

Common choices:

• Amoxicillin + Metronidazole combo (Claire mentioned this often)

• Clindamycin for penicillin allergies

Only use them with a prescription. Seriously.

Natural remedies you can combine with meds

Saltwater rinses — classic but effective

My grandma swears by this. Turns out she’s right. Rinsing with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in a glass) 2-3 times a day can:

• Reduce bacteria

• Calm inflammation

• Help heal minor injuries

Just don’t expect miracles if your gums are wildly infected.

Turmeric paste — yeah, I doubted this too

Mix turmeric powder with a little water and dab it on the inflamed area. It’s anti-inflammatory.
Tried it once. Smelled weird. Looked like I had mustard in my teeth. But hey — it soothed the area a bit.

Ice packs on the cheek

Simple. Underused. Works. Especially if your gum swelling is related to trauma or dental work.

What if nothing works?

Time to see your dentist. No excuses.

If after 2–3 days of trying OTC meds, rinses, and rest — your gums still look like angry marshmallows… don’t wait. You might have:

• A dental abscess

• Gum disease (like gingivitis or periodontitis)

• Or worse, an issue with the root of a tooth

I ignored my symptoms for a week once. Turned into a full-blown infection that needed drainage. Don’t be me.

Final thoughts: best medicine? Depends on your gums.

Here’s the recap, friend:

• Ibuprofen: top pick for swelling + pain

• Chlorhexidine: kills bacteria like a boss

• Gels: for numbing localized pain

• Saltwater: still undefeated in grandma science

• Antibiotics: last resort, not plan A

Swollen gums aren’t always an emergency, but they’re never to be brushed off (pun intended).

And if someone says “just floss more,” feel free to roll your eyes. You need real relief first. Then floss. Promise.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.