Why do my gums hurt around my crown
Gum pain around a crown can come from plaque, an irritated margin, bite pressure, decay, or infection beneath the restoration.
The short answer
Gums around a crown can hurt when plaque irritates the margin, the crown edge presses on tissue, food is trapped, or the tooth or gum has decay or infection. Pain on biting can also indicate a high bite or a problem deeper in the tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
A crown covers the visible part of a prepared tooth, while the surrounding gingiva remains living tissue that can become inflamed. The dentist distinguishes a surface gum problem from a loose crown, recurrent decay, a cracked tooth, or pulpal disease.
What can you do next?
Brush gently along the crown margin and clean between the crown and neighbouring teeth with floss or an interdental brush that fits. Avoid picking at the gum, and arrange an examination rather than trying to cement a loose crown yourself.
When should you seek dental care?
Book dental care if pain lasts, the gum bleeds or swells, the crown moves, the bite feels high, or food repeatedly packs beside it. Facial swelling, fever, spreading redness, or difficulty swallowing requires urgent assessment.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the crown margin, gum pocket, bite contacts, tooth pulp, and surrounding bone have been checked. Ask whether cleaning, bite adjustment, crown repair or replacement, gum treatment, or root canal treatment is indicated.
Frequently asked questions
Can a crown cause gum inflammation?
Yes. A rough, overhanging, poorly contoured, or plaque-covered margin can irritate the gingiva, although the tooth and bite also need checking.
Why does the gum hurt when I floss by a crown?
Floss may contact inflamed tissue or catch on a rough margin; a dentist can inspect the contact and show an appropriate cleaning method.