How To Treat a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth

If you’re experiencing pain, inflammation and swelling around a single tooth, it usually indicates an abscess. An abscessed tooth can be excruciating, especially when left untreated. Simply trying to ignore the discomfort can be nearly impossible, and postponing treatment can be downright dangerous. 

Here’s what to know about swollen gums around one tooth, including symptoms, causes and how to treat a swollen gum around one tooth.

[Related: Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Health]

Symptoms of a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth

Waking up in pain and finding your gum swollen around one tooth overnight can be scary. Beyond the obvious swelling, you might experience a number of other symptoms:

• Redness
• Tenderness around the gum
• Pain when you chew
• A salty taste in your mouth
• Tooth pain
• Pus-filled bumps around the gums
• Throbbing or pulsating pain that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter medication

If you recognize any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Causes of a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth

“Why is my gum swollen around one tooth?”

Unless you can pinpoint an injury or instance of food being stuck between your teeth, you might ask yourself that question. Localized swelling around one tooth can occur for a variety of reasons — but it’s mainly because of neglected dental hygiene.

An untreated cavity due to poor dental hygiene can cause an infection in the tooth’s inner pulp and surrounding tissue. This infection, as well as gum disease, can trigger an extremely painful abscess.

Although that’s the primary culprit, food debris and harsh flossing can also cause inflammation and localized irritation. 

[Related: Stop Suffering From Recurring Swollen Gums]

How To Treat a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth

You must treat your swollen gum promptly to not further the infection. Besides, the sooner you’re pain-free, the better! Depending on your situation’s severity, you may want to see your dentist immediately and try home treatment in the meantime.

Dental Treatment

Your dentist gets rid of the infection in your tooth by draining the tooth’s pulp, bone structure and gum structure. Then, they perform a root canal operation to clean out all pulp and canals inside your tooth. Finally, they seal the space to avoid further infection. 

However, sometimes the tooth is too far gone for a root canal. In this instance, your dentist may remove the entire tooth and set you up with a dental implant. 

Before and after this procedure, you take a course of oral antibiotics. Your dentist also lets you know what types of pain medication to take and when you should return for a scheduled follow-up appointment.

[Related: How To Deal With Minor and Major Tooth Pain]

Home Treatments

Here are a few things you can do to feel a bit better at home:

• Use antiseptic mouthwash.
• Apply a cool or warm compress to the outside of your mouth.
• Swish warm saltwater around the area.
• Apply tea tree oil for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Take pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. 

Remember: Home treatments for swollen gums are usually temporary solutions. Still, they can alleviate some pain while you wait for your appointment. 

Risks of an Untreated Swollen Gum Around One Tooth

Having swollen gums around one tooth indicates an abscess and infection that you need to treat as soon as possible. An untreated infection can spread to other teeth or even supporting bones in the head and neck. 

Contact your dentist pronto for an examination if you’re experiencing painful swelling.

Contact Cascadia Dental Specialists Today

If you have any questions about gum pain, swelling or disease or would like to schedule a consultation, get in touch with us at Cascadia Dental Specialists. You can fill out our online form, call us at (425) 644-7444 or email us at info@cascadiadental.com. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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