How to get rid of painful gums
Painful gums often improve when plaque, trapped food, trauma, or infection is identified and treated.
The short answer
Painful gums need gentle cleaning and an examination to identify whether plaque, trapped food, trauma, a mouth ulcer, or infection is causing the inflammation. Removing the cause, rather than masking the pain, is what allows the tissue to settle.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Gum pain can involve the gingiva around a tooth, the tissue between teeth, or the lining inside the cheek. Redness, bleeding, tenderness, swelling, an ulcer, or pain when chewing point to different clinical possibilities.
What can you do next?
Brush gently at the gumline with a soft toothbrush and clean between the teeth without snapping floss into the tissue. Rinse with lukewarm salt water if it is soothing, avoid tobacco and sharp foods, and do not place aspirin directly on the gum.
When should you seek dental care?
Book dental care when pain persists, recurs, or is accompanied by swelling, bleeding, bad taste, pus, a loose tooth, or pain on biting. Seek urgent help for facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the pain comes from gingivitis, periodontal disease, decay, an abscess, trauma, or an ulcer. Ask what cleaning, filling, drainage, medication, or gum treatment addresses the identified cause.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop brushing painful gums?
No. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, because avoiding the area can leave plaque that prolongs inflammation.
Can painful gums be caused by a cavity?
Yes. Decay can inflame the pulp and cause pain that feels near the gum, especially with biting or temperature.