My gum hurts and is swollen
A painful swollen gum can come from plaque-related inflammation, trauma, food trapped near a tooth or an infection that needs examination.
The short answer
A painful swollen gum can result from gum inflammation, local injury, trapped food, a cracked tooth or infection, so the cause needs to be identified rather than treated by home care alone.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The gum is tissue attached around the teeth and covering the jawbone. Swelling reflects fluid and inflammatory cells in that tissue, and a focused area beside one tooth raises different possibilities from generalized redness around many teeth.
What can you do next?
Rinse gently with warm salt water, clean the area with a soft brush and carefully remove visible food with floss or an interdental cleaner. Do not cut the swelling or place aspirin, alcohol or concentrated oils on the gum; note its location, duration, bleeding, bad taste and any tooth sensitivity.
When should you seek dental care?
Book dental care promptly if swelling lasts, returns, worsens, or is associated with tooth pain, pus, fever, a bad taste or difficulty opening the mouth. Emergency assessment is needed for swelling that spreads toward the eye or neck, or for breathing or swallowing difficulty.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the swelling is caused by gingivitis, a periodontal pocket, a damaged tooth, an erupting wisdom tooth or an abscess. Ask whether an examination, dental X-ray, cleaning, drainage, filling or root canal is indicated.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop brushing the swollen area?
Keep cleaning gently with a soft brush unless a clinician gives different instructions; avoiding the area can allow plaque to remain.
Is every swollen gum an abscess?
No. Gingivitis, trauma, trapped food and erupting teeth can also swell, and an examination distinguishes them.