Gum around my tooth is swollen
A swollen gum around one tooth commonly reflects trapped plaque, local trauma, decay, or infection in the tooth or surrounding tissues.
The short answer
A swollen gum around one tooth commonly reflects trapped plaque, local trauma, decay, or infection in the tooth or surrounding tissues. The tissue may be enlarged because the gingiva is inflamed, a food fragment is wedged beneath its edge, or an abscess is draining near the root. A partially erupted wisdom tooth can also inflame the flap over it.
What can make gum tissue around one tooth enlarge?
The tissue may be enlarged because the gingiva is inflamed, a food fragment is wedged beneath its edge, or an abscess is draining near the root. A partially erupted wisdom tooth can also inflame the flap over it.
How should you care for a swollen gum around one tooth?
Rinse gently, brush the tooth and gumline, and clean between the teeth without forcing an object into the swelling. Do not squeeze it or place heat directly on the face.
When does swelling around one tooth need prompt care?
Arrange prompt care when swelling persists, hurts on biting, produces a bad taste, or is joined by fever. Facial swelling, difficulty swallowing, breathing, or opening the mouth requires urgent help.
What could be causing the swelling around this tooth?
Ask whether the source is the gum, the tooth pulp, the root tip, or a partially erupted tooth. Ask whether probing, a vitality test, cleaning, drainage, or an X-ray is needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important next step?
Ask whether the source is the gum, the tooth pulp, the root tip, or a partially erupted tooth. Ask whether probing, a vitality test, cleaning, drainage, or an X-ray is needed.
When should this be treated urgently?
Arrange prompt care when swelling persists, hurts on biting, produces a bad taste, or is joined by fever. Facial swelling, difficulty swallowing, breathing, or opening the mouth requires urgent help.
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.