My inner gum is swollen
Swelling on the tongue-side or cheek-side gum can reflect irritation, periodontal inflammation, an erupting tooth, or a dental infection.
The short answer
An inner-gum swelling is often caused by local irritation, plaque and calculus, an erupting tooth, or infection around a tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Inner gum means the gingiva on the tongue-side or palate-side of the teeth. The dentist examines its colour, firmness, bleeding, nearby tooth, and any drainage or ulcer.
What can you do next?
Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and interdental cleaning, and avoid sharp foods that rub it. Do not puncture or drain the swelling yourself.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange care if the swelling lasts, enlarges, or is accompanied by tooth pain or pus. Urgent assessment is needed for spreading facial swelling or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the swelling is in the gum, around a tooth root, or over an erupting tooth, and what examination or imaging will distinguish these causes.
Frequently asked questions
Could a sharp food injury cause this?
Yes. A local scrape or burn can swell, but persistent or worsening tissue still needs assessment.
What might drainage mean?
Drainage can come from an infection near a tooth, although examination is needed to confirm its source.