How to treat swollen and painful gums
Swollen, painful gums usually need gentle cleaning and a dental examination to find and treat infection, inflammation, or trapped plaque.
The short answer
Gently clean the gumline, use a warm salt-water rinse for short-term comfort, and arrange a dental examination because swelling and pain can come from gum inflammation, trapped food, or a tooth infection. Do not squeeze the swelling or place aspirin directly on the gum.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The gingiva can swell when plaque irritates the tissues around a tooth. Painful swelling may also reflect food impacted between teeth, a cracked or decayed tooth, an erupting wisdom tooth, or an abscess involving the tooth root or gum.
What can you do next?
Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, clean between the teeth, and rinse with warm salt water without swallowing it. A dentist may remove plaque or trapped debris, drain a localized collection when indicated, treat decay with a filling or root canal, or provide gum treatment; antibiotics are used only when the clinical findings call for them.
When should you seek dental care?
Book dental care promptly if swelling persists, returns, bleeds easily, or is linked to toothache, bad taste, or pus. Seek urgent medical help if swelling spreads into the face or neck, or if breathing, swallowing, or opening the mouth becomes difficult.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the swelling is from gingivitis, periodontitis, a gum abscess, or an infected tooth, and whether an examination or dental X-ray is needed. Ask which treatment will remove the cause and how to clean the area while it heals.
Frequently asked questions
Can swollen gums heal without treatment?
Mild irritation may settle after plaque and trapped food are removed, but persistent or painful swelling needs an examination to exclude infection.
Should I pop a gum swelling?
No. Squeezing it can injure tissue and does not treat the dental source of the swelling.