Edema gums
Swollen gums reflect increased tissue fluid or inflammation from plaque, irritation, infection, trauma, or a tooth problem.
The short answer
Swollen gums are an increase in gum tissue fluid or inflammation, commonly linked with plaque, irritation, infection, trauma, or a local tooth problem.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The gingiva can swell around one tooth or across several areas. A dentist distinguishes plaque-related gingivitis from an abscess, trapped food, medication-related enlargement, hormonal change, or irritation from an appliance.
What can you do next?
Brush gently along the gum margin with a soft brush, clean between teeth carefully, and avoid tobacco and harsh products that irritate tissue. Do not puncture or squeeze a swelling.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek prompt care for a localized painful swelling, pus, fever, facial swelling, a loose tooth, or swelling that persists. Breathing or swallowing difficulty is an emergency.
What should you ask the dentist?
The examination may include probing, checking the tooth pulp, looking for food or calculus, and taking a radiograph when a root infection is possible. Treatment targets the cause, such as cleaning, restoring a cavity, draining an abscess, or adjusting an appliance.
Frequently asked questions
Can swollen gums be caused by a cavity? Yes. Decay that reaches the pulp can produce infection near the root, with swelling that may appear beside the tooth or on the gum.
The examination may include probing, checking the tooth pulp, looking for food or calculus, and taking a radiograph when a root infection is possible. Treatment targets the cause, such as cleaning, restoring a cavity, draining an abscess, or adjusting an appliance.
Why might one gum area swell?
A single site can collect food, develop a periodontal pocket, suffer trauma, or lie beside a tooth with decay or root infection.