Swollen inside gums
Swelling inside the mouth can come from irritated gum tissue, a blocked salivary duct, an ulcer, or infection around a tooth.
The short answer
A lump or puffiness inside the mouth is a sign, not a diagnosis. Its location, color, tenderness, duration, relation to a tooth, and change over time help narrow the cause.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Gum swelling may follow plaque, food impaction, trauma, or an erupting tooth, while a tooth infection can create a tender gum bump. Swelling in the cheek or floor of the mouth can involve a salivary gland or duct, and an ulcer may feel raised during healing.
What can you do next?
Rinse gently with water, keep brushing around the area, avoid picking or squeezing it, and note its size and duration. Arrange an examination rather than applying caustic substances or taking leftover antibiotics.
When should you seek dental care?
See a dentist if swelling lasts, grows, recurs, drains, or is linked to tooth pain, fever, or a bad taste. Get urgent help for rapid facial or mouth swelling, trouble swallowing or breathing, or inability to open the mouth normally.
What should you ask the dentist?
Is the swelling beside a tooth, under the tongue, or in the cheek? Does it need a dental X-ray or an oral-mucosal examination?
Frequently asked questions
What is the first useful step?
A lump or puffiness inside the mouth is a sign, not a diagnosis.
What symptom should not be ignored?
See a dentist if swelling lasts, grows, recurs, drains, or is linked to tooth pain, fever, or a bad taste.