One part of gum swollen
A single swollen gum area can come from trapped food, local irritation, gum disease, or infection around a tooth.
The short answer
A focused area of swollen gum is usually a local inflammation, but the cause may be the gum margin, a periodontal pocket, or an infected tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The gum beside one tooth may swell when plaque or food irritates the gingiva, a sharp edge traumatizes it, or bacteria enter a cavity or cracked tooth.
What can you do next?
Gently clean around the area with a soft brush and floss, rinse with warm salt water, and do not squeeze or puncture the swelling. A dentist may examine the pocket, test the tooth, remove trapped material or tartar, and take an X-ray if infection is suspected.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange dental care promptly if swelling lasts more than a few days, recurs, or is painful. Seek urgent help if it spreads, produces pus, causes fever, or makes swallowing, breathing, or opening the mouth difficult.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the swelling is in the gum or coming from the tooth, whether a pocket or cavity is present, and whether cleaning, drainage, a filling, root canal treatment, or gum treatment is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can the cause be treated at home?
Home care can reduce irritation, but a dentist must treat decay, infection, tartar, or a structural problem.
What will the appointment involve?
The clinician examines the area, tests relevant teeth and gums, and uses imaging or cleaning when the findings call for it.