When it comes to oral and dental health, gum problems just do not seem to be a priority for most of us. We are not to be blamed for this as medical community has only focused primarily on preventing tooth decay. The prevention of gum disease and other dental problems such as swollen gums are best prevented by proper hydration. The first step is to drink adequate amount of water to keep oral cavity hydrated and salivated. Bad oral bacteria thrives in dry mouth conditions. The greater steps towards avoiding irritated and swollen gums are by avoiding anything or any behavior that might cause dehydration. However, if gum problems already exist, gum treatments should be sought immediately by a periodontist who can recommend and implement a plan to treat the condition before it gets any worse.