Inflamed gum above one tooth

A swollen gum above one tooth can come from trapped plaque, a gum pocket, food trauma, decay, or infection around the tooth's root.

The tissue above a tooth may be gingiva over the root, the area between teeth, or a draining sinus from an abscess. The cause cannot be identified by appearance alone, so the dentist checks probing, tooth vitality, bite, and often an X-ray.

Brush gently, clean the neighbouring contact, and rinse with warm water if food is trapped. Do not squeeze the swelling, place aspirin on the gum, or delay care while using leftover antibiotics.

Seek urgent care for increasing swelling, fever, facial swelling, severe pain, or difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing. A small painless bump still needs assessment because a dental abscess can drain intermittently.

Ask whether the swelling is in the gum or from the root, whether the tooth responds to vitality tests, and whether cleaning, drainage, root-canal treatment, or extraction is indicated.