Puffy gum around tooth
A puffy gum around one tooth can come from irritation, an erupting tooth, gum disease, trauma, or dental infection.
The short answer
A puffy gum around one tooth can result from trapped plaque or food, gum inflammation, an erupting tooth, trauma, or an infection from the tooth or gum.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The swelling is an enlargement of gingival tissue beside a tooth, and its meaning depends on colour, tenderness, bleeding, drainage, depth around the tooth, and the condition of the tooth underneath.
What can you do next?
Brush gently with a soft brush, clean between the teeth, and rinse with plain warm water. Do not squeeze the swelling or place aspirin or harsh chemicals on the gum; a dentist may remove irritants, clean a periodontal pocket, restore decay, or treat a tooth infection.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek an appointment if swelling remains, bleeds repeatedly, drains, hurts on biting, or is accompanied by bad taste or tooth sensitivity. Facial swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing needs urgent care.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the swelling is in the gum or coming through the root, whether an X-ray is needed, and which cleaning or tooth treatment will resolve it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gum boil always a gum problem?
No. A small pimple-like swelling can be a drainage point from an infected tooth.
Can food stuck under the gum cause swelling?
Yes, trapped food can irritate the tissue, but persistent swelling still needs a dental examination.