Back left gum swollen
A swollen gum behind the last lower or upper molar is often caused by trapped plaque or food, inflammation around a wisdom tooth, or a dental infection..
The short answer
A swollen gum behind the last lower or upper molar is often caused by trapped plaque or food, inflammation around a wisdom tooth, or a dental infection.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The back gum is the tissue around the second molar or wisdom tooth, including the gum flap that may partly cover an erupting tooth. Bacteria can collect under that flap or along the gum margin, causing redness, swelling, bleeding, bad taste, and soreness when chewing.
What can you do next?
Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, clean between the teeth, and rinse with warm salt water without scrubbing or puncturing the swelling. A dentist may examine the tooth, flush trapped debris, take an X-ray, and treat decay, gum disease, or a wisdom-tooth problem according to the finding.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange dental care promptly if swelling lasts, returns, produces pus or a bad taste, or comes with worsening pain. Seek urgent care if swelling spreads into the cheek or neck, you develop fever, or opening your mouth, swallowing, or breathing becomes difficult.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the swelling is around a wisdom tooth, a gum pocket, or an infected tooth, and whether an X-ray is needed. Ask which treatment will remove the cause and what signs mean the infection is spreading.
Frequently asked questions
What causes back left gum swollen?
The cause of back left gum swollen depends on the tooth, gum tissue, materials, and symptoms found during an examination.
What treatment may be needed for back left gum swollen?
Treatment for back left gum swollen is selected after the dentist identifies the source, which may involve cleaning, restoration, medication, or a procedure on the tooth or gum.