Tender gum around one tooth

Tenderness around one tooth can come from trapped plaque or food, a gum pocket, trauma, decay, a cracked tooth, or an erupting tooth.

The gum collar around a tooth contains connective tissue and a shallow sulcus that can become inflamed when debris or bacteria remain there. Pain that feels like it is in the gum may instead arise from the tooth pulp, root, ligament, or a nearby wisdom tooth.

A dentist compares the area with neighbouring teeth, checks for swelling and bleeding, tests the tooth to cold or tapping, probes the gum, and may take an X-ray. The cause may be local irritation, a restoration edge, periodontal infection, decay, fracture, or eruption.

Gently clean around the tooth, use a soft brush, avoid wedging sharp objects into the gum, and choose softer foods temporarily if chewing hurts. Do not place aspirin or concentrated antiseptic directly on the tissue.

Seek care if tenderness lasts, returns, or comes with swelling, pus, bad taste, fever, tooth mobility, or pain on biting. Rapid facial swelling or trouble swallowing requires urgent attention.