Despite the recommendation to brush twice a day and floss at least once, some people still develop gum inflammation. This is probably because of either poor brushing skills or lack of professional teeth cleaning, which causes plaques to accumulate. Plaques can harden and form tartar, the primary cause of gum disease. This is often characterized by gum bleeding, pain, and swelling. While you may use several periodontal disease treatments, home remedies such as salty water can work great in the early stages of gum disease.