Dental Nation
Question and answer

Teeth in upper gums

Teeth may feel or appear high in the upper gum when they have not fully erupted, are crowded, or are covered by swollen tissue.

The short answer

A tooth that seems to sit high in the upper gum may be partly erupted, impacted, crowded, or hidden by gum tissue, and an examination with appropriate imaging can identify the cause.

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What is the direct answer?

What does this question mean?

Do not cut, pierce, push, or pull the gum or tooth.

What can you do next?

Keep the area clean with a soft brush and note swelling or bite changes.

When should you seek dental care?

Seek prompt care for facial swelling, fever, swallowing difficulty, or increasing pain.

What should you ask the dentist?

Ask whether imaging, monitoring, orthodontic space creation, or exposure is appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main thing to know?

A tooth that seems to sit high in the upper gum may be partly erupted, impacted, crowded, or hidden by gum tissue, and an examination with appropriate imaging can identify the cause.

When should I arrange an examination?

Seek prompt care for facial swelling, fever, swallowing difficulty, or increasing pain.