Swollen and painful gums around tooth
Swollen, painful gum around one tooth can come from trapped food, a periodontal pocket, decay, a crack, or an abscess and should be examined if i.
The short answer
When swelling and pain are centered around one tooth, the source may be the gum margin, the ligament around the root, or infection inside the tooth. A cavity, fractured tooth, impacted food, erupting tooth, or localized periodontal infection can produce similar symptoms.
How can you care for a swollen gum around one tooth?
Rinse gently with warm water, clean around the tooth with a soft brush and suitable interdental aid, and avoid pressing sharp objects into the gum. A dentist may test the tooth, measure the gum pocket, take a radiograph, remove the irritant, and provide drainage or tooth treatment when indicated.
When should increasing gum pain be assessed promptly?
Arrange prompt care for increasing pain, pus, fever, facial swelling, or difficulty opening the mouth. Emergency help is needed when swelling affects swallowing or breathing.
What might be causing pain around the affected tooth?
Ask whether the pain is from the pulp, periodontal tissues, or an abscess. Ask which tests distinguish the causes and whether the tooth needs cleaning, a filling, root canal treatment, extraction, or periodontal care.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main factor to consider?
Should you pop a gum swelling?
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.