Gingival swelling
Gingival swelling can come from plaque inflammation, trapped food, trauma, or infection around a tooth and needs assessment when persistent.
The short answer
Gingival swelling is enlarged gum tissue. Plaque inflammation is common, while a tooth abscess, trapped food, erupting tooth, trauma, or medicine can produce a localized lump.
How can bacteria beneath the gum create pressure and pus?
Bacteria inside a tooth or below the gum can create pus and pressure. A dentist may use probing, pulp tests, percussion, and an X-ray to locate the source.
How should you clean a swollen gum area at home?
Clean gently with a soft brush and lukewarm water. Do not puncture the swelling or place aspirin on the gum; treatment may require cleaning, drainage, or tooth treatment.
When does swollen gum tissue need same-day dental care?
Seek same-day care for severe pain, pus, fever, bad taste, or facial swelling. Breathing or swallowing difficulty is an emergency.
What might be causing the swelling beside your tooth?
Ask whether the swelling comes from gingivitis, a gum pocket, an erupting tooth, or an abscess.
Frequently asked questions
Ask whether the swelling comes from gingivitis, a gum pocket, an erupting tooth, or an abscess.
Gingival swelling is enlarged gum tissue. Plaque inflammation is common, while a tooth abscess, trapped food, erupting tooth, trauma, or medicine can produce a localized lump.
When should it be checked?
Seek same-day care for severe pain, pus, fever, bad taste, or facial swelling. Breathing or swallowing difficulty is an emergency.
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.