How to treat a gum infection

How to treat a gum infection

Healthline says a dentist must drain a gum abscess and clean the periodontal pocket, often with scaling and root planing, and depending on bone loss or pulp involvement may recommend tooth extraction, a root canal or bone or gum regeneration, with antibiotics and pain medication prescribed. It states that a gum abscess will not completely heal on its own, and that there is no way to treat one at home. The NHS says a dentist drains the pus under local anesthetic, and a root canal or extraction may be needed if a tooth problem caused it. For milder gum infection such as gingivitis, Cleveland Clinic says a professional cleaning, better brushing and flossing and sometimes antimicrobial mouthwash are the treatment, and it is reversible if treated early.

What does a gum infection feel like?

Healthline lists persistent, severe pain in the affected area, often with swelling and redness, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when chewing, a loose tooth, pus, a bad taste and fever. Gingivitis is usually painless, with red, swollen gums that bleed easily, according to Cleveland Clinic. See our guide on what gingivitis looks like.

Can a gum infection kill you?

Rarely, yes. Healthline says an untreated tooth infection can spread and cause life-threatening complications, including sepsis, and that deaths are uncommon today thanks to modern dental care. Warning signs needing urgent care include fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, neck or eye, trouble opening the mouth, trouble speaking, chewing or swallowing, difficulty breathing and a rapid heart rate. Healthline says older adults and people with diabetes or weakened immune systems face higher risk, and that treatment is drainage, a root canal or extraction, often with antibiotics. Do not wait to see how it develops.

Why does my gum hurt in one spot?

Healthline's article on a swollen gum around one tooth lists poor hygiene with trapped food, gum disease and an abscess, often from an untreated cavity. Cleveland Clinic says a partly erupted wisdom tooth can trap food and bacteria under a gum flap, causing pericoronitis with swollen, red gums, pain and sometimes pus. A cut or injury, such as from flossing or hard bristles, can also cause local pain, according to Healthline. A dentist can tell which it is.

Why does my gum hurt when I touch it, or my back gum?

Tenderness to touch points to inflammation, injury or infection. A sore back gum may be a wisdom tooth coming through, as in pericoronitis, or a gum abscess behind a molar. Cleveland Clinic and Healthline say to see a dentist if pain persists, and urgently if there is swelling or fever.

How to heal a cut gum and how long it takes

Healthline says a minor gum cut typically heals in about three to four days, longer if it needs stitches or becomes infected. Apply a clean cloth for five to 10 minutes to stop bleeding, rinse with salt water several times a day, eat soft foods and avoid hot, spicy or citrus foods, and use a cool damp cloth for up to 20 minutes. Seek care if the cut is not improving in a couple of days, if there is fever, chills, pus or worsening pain, or if bleeding continues after 10 minutes of pressure.

How to relieve gum pain from flossing

Cleveland Clinic says bleeding when you start flossing usually comes from plaque and settles within a few weeks of daily flossing, and flossing too hard can injure the gums. Slide the floss gently up and down each side of a tooth and curve it around the base rather than snapping it in. The Healthline cut-on-gums article lists improper flossing, hard-bristled toothbrushes and toothpicks as causes of cuts between teeth, and says that bleeding gums without a cut should be checked for gum disease.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask what is causing it, not only how to treat it.

• Is this gum disease, an abscess or an injury?
• Do I need antibiotics, drainage or a deep cleaning?
• What can I do for pain until the treatment?
• What warning signs mean I should come back urgently?
• How can I prevent it coming back?

Frequently asked questions