Gum red around tooth

Redness around one tooth usually reflects irritated gingiva from plaque, trapped food, trauma, or a local tooth problem.

Gum inflammation increases blood flow, making the tissue red. A rough filling, calculus, decay, or infection near the root can irritate one site.

Clean gently with a soft brush and suitable interdental cleaning; do not pick the area or place aspirin on the gum.

Arrange an examination if redness persists, recurs, bleeds, or comes with pain, discharge, recession, looseness, fever, or facial swelling.

Ask whether the cause is plaque, a pocket, a filling edge, decay, or infection, and whether imaging is needed.