Pimple in gums

A pimple-like bump on the gum may be a draining dental abscess, so the tooth and surrounding tissues need examination.

The bump can be a sinus tract, which is a small channel through gum tissue from an infected tooth or gum pocket. Other possibilities include a traumatic sore, trapped food, an erupting tooth, or a blocked minor salivary gland.

Do not squeeze or puncture it. Rinse gently, brush carefully around the area, note whether there is pain, bad taste, fever, swelling, or a loose tooth, and arrange an examination; treatment may involve drainage, cleaning, a root canal, or extraction depending on the source.

Seek urgent dental care for facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, increasing pain, or difficulty opening the mouth. Even a painless bump should be assessed because drainage can reduce pressure without removing the infection.

Ask which tooth or tissue is causing the bump, whether an X-ray is needed, and whether the source is the pulp, gum pocket, or erupting tooth. Ask which treatment removes the cause and what changes require urgent review.