Sores inside gums
Sores inside the gums are usually ulcers, irritation, or infection, and the appearance and duration guide the next step.
The short answer
A sore inside the gum is a break or inflamed area in the gum lining, often caused by trauma, an ulcer, plaque-related inflammation, or a dental infection.
What different conditions can cause a sore inside the gum?
The sore may be an aphthous ulcer, a scrape from a sharp tooth, inflammation around a partially erupted tooth, or a draining dental abscess. A dentist examines the ulcer, gum margin, teeth, and nearby tissues to distinguish these causes.
How can you care for a sore inside your gum now?
Rinse gently with warm salt water, use a soft toothbrush, and avoid tobacco, alcohol-containing mouthwash, and foods that sting. Do not pop a swelling or place aspirin directly on the gum.
When does a sore inside the gum need urgent care?
Arrange an examination if the sore lasts beyond two weeks, keeps returning, bleeds easily, or is accompanied by tooth pain, pus, fever, facial swelling, or difficulty swallowing.
What should you ask about a sore inside your gum?
Ask whether the lesion is an ulcer, trauma, gum disease, or a tooth infection, and which treatment is appropriate. Ask what changes should prompt urgent care.
Frequently asked questions
Could a sore inside the gum come from an ulcer or infection?
The sore may be an aphthous ulcer, a scrape from a sharp tooth, inflammation around a partially erupted tooth, or a draining dental abscess.
What should I do if it persists?
Arrange an examination if the sore lasts beyond two weeks, keeps returning, bleeds easily, or is accompanied by tooth pain, pus, fever, facial swelling, or difficulty swallowing.
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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.