Swollen gum around one tooth might seem unusual, but it is a common occurrence that usually results from an infection. There are other reasons your gum might look puffy, like poor dental hygiene and gum disease. So before you panic about the swelling in your gum, we will go over the possible causes in this blog.
Potential Causes of a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth
Swollen gum by a single tooth is not as unusual as it seems. Some common reasons behind this are:
1. Poor Oral Hygiene
The food you eat collects between your tooth and gum line. The food particles and debris can lead to swollen gum around one tooth if you don’t stick to your oral hygiene routine. Over time the debris starts damaging your gums and teeth. As a result, you might develop tooth decay or gum disease. Therefore, it is high time to improve your oral hygiene if:
- Your gums look pale, red, and/or swollen
- You notice blood while brushing
- There is a pus discharge from a tooth
- You have a loose tooth
- You have a bad odor on your breath
- There is an unpleasant taste in your mouth
2. Gum Disease
The bad, harmful bacteria in your mouth can lead to periodontal disease. It accumulates on the gums, causing irritation and inflammation. Initially, you’ll notice symptoms of the gingivitis stage, which are reversible given that you receive proper treatment. Bleeding, tender, red gums and bad breath are a few signs of gingivitis.
Not getting proper treatment for gingivitis can lead to a more severe stage of gum disease, called periodontitis. By this stage, you’ll notice the gums pulling away from your teeth, also known as gum recession. Moreover, the tooth might start to become loose or fall out.
Simply put, periodontal disease is also a possible culprit behind swollen gum around one tooth. Thus, practicing proper oral care daily is a must.
3. Dental Abscess
Bacterial infection is the most common reason behind swollen gum around a single tooth. Your gums can collect pus, forming a pus pocket or dental abscess. When tooth decay spreads to the tooth’s pulp, it can cause a dental abscess on your gums. Other than this, fractures can also be responsible for allowing bacteria to infect your tooth. Fever, pain, and swelling in the gum or jaw are some indicators of a dental abscess.
Don’t waste a minute in contacting your dentist if you have a dental abscess, as the infection requires immediate medical attention.
Can You Treat a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth?
Swollen gum around one tooth should be inspected by a dentist immediately. While you wait to see your oral healthcare provider, the following are some treatments or remedies that help:
- Using an antiseptic mouthwash
- Rinsing your mouth using a warm saltwater solution
- Apply turmeric gel to the swollen area for 10 seconds; do this after you brush your teeth.
- Professional dental treatments like scaling and root planing, incision and drainage, deep teeth cleaning, root canal, etc. Your dentist will opt for the suitable method according to your mouth’s condition.
What to do Next?
Swollen gum around one tooth is usually due to bacterial infection, but there are other causes. Therefore, consult your dentist soon after you notice the inflamed gum. Our team at Cypress Dental Clinic is waiting to help you; dial (832)-427-6620 to call us.