Why do gums swell and pain

Swollen, painful gums usually reflect inflammation from plaque, irritation, infection, or a trapped food particle.

Gum tissue becomes red, puffy, tender, or prone to bleeding when inflammatory fluid enters the gingiva. Plaque along the gum margin is common, but a sharp edge, ill-fitting restoration, erupting wisdom tooth, abscess, or some medicines can produce a similar appearance.

Brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth, and rinse with lukewarm water while avoiding tobacco and hard foods that irritate the area. Do not puncture a swelling or place aspirin directly on the gum; a dentist may remove calculus, flush a pocket, treat decay, or drain an abscess after examining the source.

Arrange an examination if swelling persists, recurs, bleeds easily, causes bad taste, or is linked with toothache or looseness. Seek urgent dental care for facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or swelling that is spreading.

Ask whether the swelling is gingivitis, periodontal disease, a local injury, or an infection from a tooth, and what the examination shows. Ask which cleaning, filling, root canal, periodontal treatment, or medicine is appropriate and how to prevent recurrence.