Gum Boil (Pimple on Gums)

A gum boil is a small raised area that can appear when infection from a tooth or nearby tissue drains toward the gum.

A deep infection around a tooth can form a drainage route toward the gum. An apical granuloma is another possible explanation for swelling near a tooth root; appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

Rinse gently with warm salt water if comfortable, keep the area clean, and arrange a dental assessment. Do not squeeze, pierce, or rely on the bump draining as proof that the problem has gone.

A dentist checks the gum, nearby teeth, tenderness, and swelling. Dental imaging may assess the root and surrounding bone before treatment is selected.

Treatment depends on the source. A tooth infection may require drainage and treatment of the tooth, such as root canal treatment, or removal when the tooth cannot be saved. Antibiotics may be used when clinically indicated.

Brush twice daily, clean between the teeth, and arrange regular dental care. Treating decay and dental infections early reduces the chance that a small gum swelling becomes a larger abscess.

This symptom can sit alongside other mouth changes, so the surrounding gums, teeth, and soft tissues matter during an examination. Related reading can help you describe what you notice before an appointment.

An untreated dental infection can spread into surrounding tissues and become more difficult to manage. Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing needs urgent medical or dental help.