The top of my gums feel swollen

Swelling along the upper gums may come from plaque inflammation, food trauma, a tooth abscess or a sinus-related sensation, so location matters.

The affected gum is living tissue around the teeth, while an implant, denture or bleaching procedure involves different structures. Location, duration and appearance help distinguish inflammation, infection, trauma and treatment-related change.

Clean gently with a soft brush, avoid squeezing or scraping the area, and arrange an examination. A dentist may use probing, photographs, radiographs or a scan before selecting treatment.

Seek care if the change persists, returns, bleeds or causes pain. Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent assessment.

Ask which tissue is involved, whether imaging is needed, what diagnosis fits the examination and which treatment removes the underlying cause.