Swelling in gum below tooth
A lump or swelling below a tooth can come from an irritated gum, trapped food, a periodontal pocket, or infection from the tooth root..
The short answer
A lump or swelling below a tooth can come from an irritated gum, trapped food, a periodontal pocket, or infection from the tooth root.
What does a raised area below a tooth mean?
Swelling below a tooth means the soft tissue over the jaw or root area is enlarged or raised.
What can you do safely for gum swelling below a tooth?
Rinse gently with warm water, keep brushing carefully, and arrange an examination rather than squeezing the lump. The dentist may test the tooth, probe the gum, and take an X-ray.
When does swelling below a tooth need urgent care?
Seek urgent care for spreading facial swelling, fever, severe pain, difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing.
What should you ask about the source of gum swelling?
Ask whether the swelling is from the gum, the tooth pulp, or the tissues around the root, and whether drainage, cleaning, root canal treatment, or extraction is indicated.
Frequently asked questions
Could this have another cause?
Yes. An examination is needed when different dental or oral conditions can produce similar symptoms.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring a list of medicines, relevant medical conditions, when the symptom began, and anything that makes it better or worse.
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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.