How swollen gums look like
Swollen gums may look enlarged, red or dusky, shiny, and tender around one tooth or across several areas of the gum line.
The short answer
Swollen gums look enlarged and puffy, with a smooth or shiny surface that may be red, dark red, or bleed when touched. The swelling can form a general band along the gum margin or a focused lump beside one tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The gum is the gingiva, the soft tissue that seals around the necks of the teeth and covers the jawbone. Puffiness reflects fluid and inflammatory changes in that tissue, commonly from plaque near the gum margin, trapped food, irritation, or infection around a tooth.
What can you do next?
Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush at the gum line and clean between the teeth with floss or an interdental brush. Do not cut, squeeze, or repeatedly press the swelling; note its location, colour, tenderness, bleeding, and how long it has been present.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange an examination if swelling persists, returns, bleeds easily, causes bad taste or discharge, or occurs with tooth pain. Seek urgent care for facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or rapidly worsening pain.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the appearance fits gingivitis, periodontitis, a localized gum abscess, or irritation from a tooth or appliance. Ask which areas need professional cleaning, whether an X-ray or gum measurements are needed, and how to monitor the change.
Frequently asked questions
Can swollen gums look pale?
They can look lighter or stretched when tissue is very puffy, but colour alone cannot identify the cause.
Is a lump beside one tooth different?
A single tender lump can reflect food trapping, gum irritation, or an abscess and needs an examination if it persists.