Gums around teeth are swollen
Swollen gum tissue commonly reflects plaque-related inflammation, but a trapped food particle, erupting tooth, decay, or a dental abscess can also cause it.
What can cause swelling around the teeth?
Swollen gum tissue commonly reflects plaque-related inflammation, but a trapped food particle, erupting tooth, decay, or a dental abscess can also cause it.
Gingiva may enlarge around one tooth or across several areas. The cause depends on whether swelling is tender, bleeding, localised, associated with a pocket, or accompanied by tooth pain, bad taste, fever, or facial swelling.
How can swelling appear around one or several teeth?
Gingiva may enlarge around one tooth or across several areas. The cause depends on whether swelling is tender, bleeding, localised, associated with a pocket, or accompanied by tooth pain, bad taste, fever, or facial swelling.
Clean the area gently with a soft brush and an interdental brush or floss where it can pass without force. Do not pierce the swelling or place concentrated chemicals, aspirin, or herbal substances directly on the gum.
How can you clean swollen gums without causing harm?
Clean the area gently with a soft brush and an interdental brush or floss where it can pass without force. Do not pierce the swelling or place concentrated chemicals, aspirin, or herbal substances directly on the gum.
Ask whether the swelling comes from gingivitis, a periodontal pocket, an impacted tooth, decay, or an abscess. Ask if probing, a cleaning, or a radiograph is needed.
When does swelling around the teeth need dental care?
Arrange dental care when swelling lasts, returns, bleeds, or is linked to toothache. Facial swelling, fever, pus, or difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing needs prompt attention.
Seek prompt assessment for facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What should the dentist check around the swollen gums?
Ask whether the swelling comes from gingivitis, a periodontal pocket, an impacted tooth, decay, or an abscess. Ask if probing, a cleaning, or a radiograph is needed.
Ask which examination findings change the diagnosis and what the alternatives, expected steps, and follow-up would be.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to clarify?
Ask whether the swelling comes from gingivitis, a periodontal pocket, an impacted tooth, decay, or an abscess. Ask if probing, a cleaning, or a radiograph is needed.
When should this not wait?
Arrange dental care when swelling lasts, returns, bleeds, or is linked to toothache. Facial swelling, fever, pus, or difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing needs prompt attention.
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.