Gum Abscess: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Summary

If you experience pain in the gum area, visible swelling, or a pus-filled pocket on the gum, you may have a gum abscess. In this article, we’ll discuss symptoms, causes, and treatments for this serious dental issue so you can get your smile back.

What Is a Gum Abscess?

The term “gum abscess” describes two specific types of oral infections: gingival abscess and periodontal abscess. If left untreated, both conditions can lead to infection and cause a pus-filled pocket on your gums.

However, a gingival abscess is an infection solely in the gum, while a periodontal abscess involves the bone and ligaments. Periodontal abscesses are the most common type of abscess, so we’ll primarily focus on them in this article.

Keep reading to learn what’s going on in your mouth, how to treat an abscess, and how to prevent it from becoming more serious.

How Serious Is a Gum Abscess?

Gum abscesses can be very serious. If the infection spreads, you can develop a high fever and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing. If you suspect you have a gum abscess, see your dentist right away.

Gum Abscess Symptoms

Pus Pocket

One of the primary symptoms of a gum abscess — and the thing that sets it apart from other dental issues — is the pus that can build up and create a pocket in the tissue above your teeth.

When you have an infection or cavity in your mouth, your body attempts to fight the infection by sending white blood cells to the area, which build up under the surface of your gum. As a result, pus accumulates and presses against the gum tissue around the infection, causing a pimple-like bump.

If you notice a pus pocket on your gum, see a dentist right away to take care of the underlying problem.

Throbbing Pain

While the pus pocket is the most visible symptom of a gum abscess, one of the first symptoms you may experience is severe pain in your mouth — especially in the soft tissue around your teeth.

This pain is another way your body reacts to the problem under the gum line. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever may reduce discomfort, but it won’t stop the infection from spreading where you can’t see it. You will have to take an antibiotic after professional consultation.

If you have pain that persists for more than a few days, talk to your dentist right away to find out what’s wrong.

Inflamed Gums

Another symptom you’ll likely experience when a gum abscess develops is visible inflamed gums. Inflammation is your body’s way of trying to fight off the bad bacteria and the infection they’re causing.

Inflamed gums will look redder than the surrounding tissue and may be tender or painful to the touch. This is a sure sign of inflammation under your gums’ surface.

Sensitive Teeth or Gums

If you experience pain or discomfort when you chew or otherwise put pressure on your teeth, an intense toothache or pain in your gums, redness inside your mouth, or redness on your face or jaw, it could be a sign of an abscess.

Now that you know its symptoms, let’s talk about the primary causes of a gum abscess.

Gum Abscess Causes

Ultimately, a gum abscess is caused by a bacterial infection that spreads into your tooth and below your gum line.

Your body reacts to the infection, and you may experience some of the symptoms we mentioned above. As the white blood cells build up, the major symptom of a gum abscess — the pus pocket — appears.

What leads to the infection that starts this process? Let’s take a look.

Plaque and Tartar Buildup

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the surface of your teeth. It’s made of particles from the foods and drinks you consume, bacteria, and saliva.

Plaque buildup is normal and can be removed at home with effective oral hygiene practices. However, if you don’t remove it by brushing, flossing, or through a dental cleaning, it can harden into tartar over time. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed at home and requires professional cleaning to prevent complications. Left untreated, tartar may lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Plaque and tartar also cause bad breath, bleeding gums, gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Tooth Decay and Cavities

Bacteria can produce acids that demineralize your tooth enamel (the protective outer layer) and may cause it to weaken and break down (fracture).

When the enamel is eroded, the bacteria can work its way into the dentin (the middle layer of the tooth) and the pulp (the inner layer) and create a cavity, which makes you more susceptible to infection.

Other Risk Factors

In addition to plaque and tartar buildup, tooth decay, and cavities, other factors can contribute to gum abscess development. These include:

• Food stuck under your gums or below the gum line
• Severe gum disease

Professional Gum Abscess Treatments

Antibiotics

If your dentist catches the infection early enough, they may prescribe antibiotics to help your body fight off the bacteria. This is the first treatment. Your dentist may also recommend one of the treatment methods listed below.

Gum Incision and Drainage

When you have a full-blown gum abscess, one of the first things your dentist will do is make an incision in the pus pocket to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure.

Root Canal

A root canal is a dental treatment designed to remove infected pulp inside the tooth and prevent further infection.

If your dentist can repair the damage to the tooth below the gum line and seal it off, your gum abscess may heal. If not, a more drastic procedure may be necessary.

Extraction

In some advanced cases, your dentist may extract the tooth if it cannot be saved by a root canal treatment.

While a dental professional will provide the best advice and care, there are some things you can do at home to help relieve your gum abscess symptoms in the meantime.

Temporary At-Home Relief for Gum Abscess Symptoms

When considering at-home treatments for a gum abscess, keep in mind they don’t solve the underlying problem. However, they can reduce your symptoms until you’re able to see a dentist.

Here are a few at-home treatments to consider:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

The first line of defense against gum abscesses is effective oral hygiene to remove plaque. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash.

Rinse with Salt Water

If you can’t see a dentist right away, try rinsing your mouth with salt water for pain relief. The salt in the solution has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe the area and promote healing.

Mix ½ teaspoon (about 2.5 grams) of salt in ½ cup (about 120 milliliters) of warm water, and swish the solution around in your mouth for a few minutes before spitting it out.

Take an Over-The-Counter Pain Reliever

Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can temporarily reduce the throbbing in your gums and sensitivity in your teeth.

Don’t delay making an appointment with your dentist. The pain will come back, and you’ll want to resolve the underlying issue as quickly as possible to avoid further local and systemic complications.

Apply a Cold Compress

A cold compress can help reduce swelling and pain. Wrap an ice pack in a dish towel and hold it to the outside of your cheek near the painful area for 10-20 minutes.

Repeat several times a day until you can see your dentist.

Start Your Oral Care Routine with Oral-B

To maintain good dental hygiene and keep your mouth healthy, use an electric toothbrush from the Oral-B iO Series. These advanced toothbrushes are designed to remove 100% more plaque bacteria from the surface of your teeth than a manual toothbrush.

Add in daily flossing (with a water flosser or string floss), rinsing with a dentist-approved mouthwash, and regular visits to the dentist, and you have the perfect oral health routine to keep your mouth healthy.