Gum red and swollen
Red, swollen gums commonly reflect plaque-related inflammation, but trapped food, trauma, medication effects, or infection can also be responsible.
Why are my gums red and swollen?
Red, swollen gums commonly reflect plaque-related inflammation, but trapped food, trauma, medication effects, or infection can also be responsible.
What causes gums to become red, puffy, and tender?
Healthy gingiva fits closely around teeth; inflammation increases blood flow and fluid in the tissue, causing redness, puffiness, tenderness, or bleeding.
How can I care for red swollen gums at home?
Brush twice daily with a soft brush, clean between teeth, and remove trapped food gently. Avoid smoking and harsh scrubbing while arranging an examination if the change persists.
When do swollen gums need urgent dental attention?
Seek prompt care for pus, severe pain, fever, rapidly increasing swelling, or swelling that affects the face, eye, swallowing, or breathing.
What should I ask about the cause of gum swelling?
Ask whether the swelling is gingivitis, periodontitis, a localized abscess, trauma, or a medication-related change, and whether professional cleaning is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my gums swollen around one tooth?
Food impaction, a cavity, a crack, a filling edge, or a localized infection can all cause this pattern.
Should I stop brushing swollen gums?
No. Clean gently, because leaving plaque at the gum edge can maintain inflammation.
Keep reading
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.