Painful swollen gum around one tooth
A swollen gum beside one tooth can come from trapped plaque, gum infection, decay, or an abscess needing prompt assessment.
The short answer
A painful swollen gum beside one tooth can result from trapped plaque, gum infection, decay, a cracked tooth, or an abscess. The cause cannot be confirmed from swelling alone because the source may be in the gum, tooth pulp, or bone.
What does localised swelling around one tooth mean?
The swelling is localized inflammation in the soft tissue around a tooth. A dentist checks the gum pocket, tooth surface, bite, pulp response, and nearby bone to distinguish irritation from infection.
What can you do while one tooth has a swollen gum?
Brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth if it does not cause severe pain, and rinse with warm water. Do not puncture the swelling or place aspirin directly on the gum, and arrange an examination because home care cannot drain a dental abscess or repair decay.
When should swelling around one tooth be assessed?
Arrange prompt dental care for persistent swelling, toothache, pus, fever, a bad taste, or pain when biting. Seek urgent help for facial or neck swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
What tests can show the source of swelling around one tooth?
Ask whether the swelling is periodontal, endodontic, or related to a cracked tooth, and whether an X-ray or pulp test is needed. Ask which treatment addresses the source, such as cleaning, a filling, root canal treatment, drainage, or extraction.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gum boil always an abscess?
A bump may be an abscess, but examination and sometimes imaging are needed to identify its source.
Will brushing make the swelling worse?
Gentle cleaning usually helps remove plaque, but avoid forceful pressure over very tender tissue.
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.