Gum is inflamed around tooth
Inflammation around one tooth is often caused by plaque or trapped food, but decay, a crack, gum disease, or an erupting tooth can also be responsible.
Why is the gum inflamed around one tooth?
Inflammation around one tooth is often caused by plaque or trapped food, but decay, a crack, gum disease, or an erupting tooth can also be responsible.
What signs can appear around an inflamed tooth?
The gum may be red, swollen, tender, or bleed. An abscess can add throbbing pain, pus, a bad taste, or swelling near the tooth.
How should I clean around this tooth safely?
Brush gently, clean between the teeth without forcing the gum, and do not squeeze the swelling. A dentist may measure the gum, test the tooth, and take an X-ray.
Which symptoms require prompt dental care?
Seek prompt care for pain on biting, pus, fever, worsening swelling, or a loose tooth. Facial swelling or swallowing or breathing difficulty is urgent.
Is the problem in my gum, tooth, or tooth root?
Ask whether the source is the gum, tooth, root, or erupting tooth, and whether cleaning, a filling, root canal treatment, or extraction is needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the next step?
Brush gently, clean between the teeth without forcing the gum, and do not squeeze the swelling. A dentist may measure the gum, test the tooth, and take an X-ray.
When should this be checked?
Seek prompt care for pain on biting, pus, fever, worsening swelling, or a loose tooth. Facial swelling or swallowing or breathing difficulty is urgent.
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.