The best treatment to ease the gum swelling is specific to the cause, so talk to your orthodontist if you have swelling that persists more than a few days.

Eighty percent of adults have some form of gum disease, according to the Colgate World of Care website. Gum disease can range from mild, simple gum inflammation to a more serious form where tissue is damaged and teeth are lost.

Gum disease, more commonly known as gingivitis or periodontitis, is an inflammation and infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. This condition is caused when the bacteria that reside in plaque multiply and invade your gums, first causing chronic inflammation.

Periodontal disease includes gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by the buildup of plaque, and periodontitis, a more serious condition in which the gums erode away from the tooth surface and toxins from the plaque damage the bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place.

When the germs and bacteria from your environment and the food you eat are not properly removed from your mouth, they begin to solidify, forming plaque and tartar. Over time, plaque and tartar buildup leads to inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis.

Gingivitis is a disease that causes inflammation and infection of your gums. If it is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis develops when the bacteria in plaque -- the sticky, colorless deposit that is continually forming on your teeth -- multiply and infect your gums.

If you have periodontal, or gum, disease, you are not alone. Periodontal disease affects approximately 75 percent of adults over age 30, according to the Ontario Dental Hygienists' Association.

Gum disease starts when there is inflammation in the gums. Left untreated, it can become more severe and cause bone loss. Severe gum disease, called periodontitis, occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that can infect the gums.

Swollen and bleeding gums, caused by an accumulation of tartar under the gumline, can indicate gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. According to Mayo Clinic, healthy gum tissue is pink and firm; if your gums are puffy, dusky red in color and bleed easily, you should see your dentist.

According to the American Dental Association, flossing -- along with professional cleaning and tooth brushing -- is as an integral part of dental care, and assists in the prevention of tooth and gum disease.