Gum inflamed around one tooth

The swollen tissue is the gingiva, the gum that forms a seal around the tooth and covers the supporting bone. Local redness, tenderness, bleeding, or a small raised area can reflect gingivitis, irritation from an object, or inflammation near the tooth root or a partially erupted wisdom tooth.

The appearance alone cannot identify the cause. A dentist may inspect the gum and tooth, gently measure the gum pocket, test the tooth's response, and take a dental X-ray when decay, bone changes, a crack, or an infection below the gum is possible.

Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and clean between the affected tooth and its neighbour with floss or an interdental brush. Rinse with lukewarm water after meals, avoid picking the gum with sharp objects, and do not place aspirin or other medication directly on the tissue.

If the irritation is caused by plaque or trapped food, professional cleaning and improved daily plaque removal may settle it. A cavity may need a filling, while a root infection, periodontal pocket, foreign object, or cracked tooth requires treatment directed at that cause.

Arrange a dental examination if the swelling persists, returns, bleeds easily, forms a lump, or is accompanied by toothache, sensitivity, bad taste, discharge, or pain when biting. These signs can indicate decay, gum disease, or infection that home cleaning cannot diagnose.

Seek urgent dental care for rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, fever, facial swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, or trouble swallowing or breathing. Do not wait for a routine appointment if swelling is spreading beyond the gum.

Ask whether the inflammation is in the gum or coming from inside the tooth, whether a pocket measurement or X-ray is needed, and whether there is decay, a crack, trapped material, or an erupting tooth. Also ask which treatment removes the cause and how to clean that area while it heals.