Gum hurting around tooth

The gum around a tooth is attached gingiva, marginal gingiva, and the interdental papilla, with a periodontal ligament and bone supporting the root beneath it. Localised tenderness helps identify the site, but a dental pulp infection can also drain or refer discomfort into nearby gum.

Gently brush the area and clean between the teeth with floss or a correctly sized interdental brush. Avoid squeezing a swelling or applying caustic products; note whether chewing, cold, heat, touch, or food impaction changes the pain.

Seek prompt dental care for a gum boil, facial swelling, fever, pus, a bad taste, loose tooth, pain on biting, or symptoms that persist. The dentist may measure the pocket, inspect the contact and restoration, test the pulp, check the bite, and take an X-ray.

Ask whether the source is the gum, tooth, root, or wisdom tooth; whether cleaning, periodontal treatment, a filling, root-canal treatment, or drainage is needed; and how recurrence will be prevented.