Symptom guide
Swollen Gums: Common Causes and What Helps
Puffy, tender gums are usually a sign of irritation or infection. Here’s what may be causing yours, what you can do at home, and when swelling needs a dentist or emergency care.
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Why are my gums swollen?
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease caused by plaque, is the most common cause of swollen gums. Food stuck at the gumline, a tooth abscess, hormone changes, some medicines, dentures that don’t fit and a wisdom tooth coming in can also cause swelling. See a dentist if swelling lasts longer than two weeks or gets worse.
What do swollen gums look like?
Swollen gums look puffy and may be red or purplish, shiny and smooth. They often feel tender and may bleed when you brush or floss.
Swelling can affect your whole mouth or just one spot. Swelling around a single tooth, especially with a bump on the gum or throbbing pain, can point to an infection such as an abscess. Our tooth abscess guide explains the warning signs.
What causes swollen gums?
Gum disease, starting with gingivitis, is the most common cause of swollen gums. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along the gumline and inflames the tissue.
The comparison below covers other common causes. Other possible causes include viral or fungal infections, diabetes, poor nutrition, and a lack of vitamin B or vitamin C. If your gums also bleed, see our bleeding gums guide.
At a glance
Common causes of swollen gums
Clues can hint at the cause, but a dental exam is the only way to know for sure.
| Possible cause | Common clues | What usually helps |
|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush or floss | A professional cleaning plus daily brushing and flossing |
| Food stuck at the gumline | A sore spot after eating something like popcorn | Gentle flossing and warm salt-water rinses |
| Tooth abscess | Throbbing pain, a bump on the gum, sometimes fever | Prompt dental care to drain and treat the infection |
| Wisdom tooth coming in | Tender, swollen gum behind the last molar | Cleaning the area and rinses; sometimes removing the tooth |
| Hormone changes | Swelling during puberty, pregnancy or menopause | Careful daily cleaning and regular checkups |
| Medicines or dental products | Swelling after starting a new medicine, toothpaste or mouthwash | Talk with your provider; switch dental products |
| Dentures that don’t fit | Sore, puffy spots where a denture rubs | Have a dentist check the fit |
Can a wisdom tooth make your gums swell?
Yes. When a wisdom tooth only partly breaks through, a flap of gum can trap food and bacteria over it and become inflamed or infected. This is called pericoronitis.
It most often affects lower wisdom teeth. It can cause pain near the back teeth, swelling, a bad taste, pus and trouble opening your mouth. A mild case can come and go, while a sudden flare can bring fever and facial swelling.
See our guide to wisdom tooth pain for more on what helps and when to call.
What can I do at home for swollen gums?
Gentle cleaning, warm salt-water rinses and a cold compress can calm swollen gums while you find out what’s causing them.
- Keep brushing twice a day with a soft brush and flossing daily, using a gentle touch.
- Rinse with warm water mixed with a pinch of salt.
- Hold an ice pack wrapped in a cloth against your face a few times a day to ease swelling.
- Skip irritants such as tobacco, alcohol and harsh mouthwashes. If a new toothpaste or mouthwash seems to bother your gums, switch products.
- Avoid popcorn, chips and other foods that can lodge under the gums while they heal.
- Eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, and limit sugary foods and drinks.
- For soreness, an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help. Follow the package directions and ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
- If you think a medicine is causing the swelling, talk with your provider. Don’t stop any medicine on your own.
When are swollen gums an emergency?
Swollen gums become an emergency when the swelling spreads to your face, jaw or neck, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing or swallowing. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Swelling in your face, under your jaw or in your neck that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- Swelling below your eye, or swelling that affects your vision
- A high fever along with gum or facial swelling
- Bleeding that won’t stop with pressure
- A serious injury to your mouth, face or jaw
Why spreading swelling is serious
Cleveland Clinic lists an abscessed lower molar and gum infection around a wisdom tooth among the causes of Ludwig’s angina, a fast-moving infection under the tongue that can make breathing and swallowing difficult.
When should I see a dentist for swollen gums?
See a dentist if your gums stay swollen for more than two weeks, keep getting worse, are very painful, or you notice a bump on the gum.
At your visit, the dentist will examine your mouth and ask how long the swelling has lasted, how you care for your teeth, what you eat and what medicines you take. Blood tests are sometimes suggested if a health condition might be involved, and the dentist or hygienist can show you how to care for your gums at home.
Treatment depends on the cause. It may include a professional cleaning, a deep cleaning for gum disease, root canal treatment or removal for an abscessed tooth, or a referral to your doctor for a medical condition.
If you’re new to our Murrieta office, start with our new patients page.
How can I prevent swollen gums?
You can lower your chances of swollen gums by keeping plaque under control and avoiding things that irritate your gums.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily.
- Keep up with regular checkups and cleanings, since only a dental professional can remove hardened tartar.
- Quit smoking and other tobacco.
- Eat well to avoid vitamin deficiencies.
- Have dentures or other appliances checked if they rub or cause sore spots.
Use your benefits
Many dental benefits renew at the end of the year, and our team is happy to help you use yours before then.
Questions & answers
Common questions
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. It happens when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along the gumline and inflames the gums, making them red, swollen and likely to bleed. It can be reversed with a professional cleaning and good daily brushing and flossing. Left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, which damages the bone around your teeth.
What are the possible causes of gum pain?
Gum pain often comes from the same problems that cause swelling: gum disease, food trapped under the gum, an abscess, or a wisdom tooth that has only partly come in. Brushing too hard, dentures that rub and hormone changes can also make gums sore. If gum pain lasts more than two weeks or comes with a bump, fever or swelling, see a dentist.
Can swollen gums go away on their own?
Sometimes. Cleveland Clinic notes that temporary gum irritation, such as from food caught at the gumline, usually clears up on its own within a day or two. Swelling from gum disease, an abscess or an infected wisdom tooth usually needs a dentist, and an abscess won’t heal without treatment. See a dentist if swelling lasts longer than two weeks or gets worse.
How long until gingivitis turns into periodontitis?
There’s no single timeline that applies to everyone. What’s clear is that gingivitis can be reversed, while the bone loss of periodontitis is permanent. Treating swollen or bleeding gums as soon as you notice them, rather than waiting, gives you the most room to stop gum disease early. Regular checkups help catch changes you might not notice.
Are swollen gums during pregnancy normal?
They’re common. Hormone changes during pregnancy can make gums swollen, tender and more likely to bleed, which is often called pregnancy gingivitis. Keep brushing gently twice a day and flossing daily, and keep up with dental checkups. Tell your dentist you’re pregnant so your care can be planned with that in mind.
Keep reading
Related care and answers
Gum Disease Treatment
Bleeding or swollen gums? Learn the signs of gingivitis and periodontitis, how a deep cleaning works, and how
Dental Cleanings & Exams
What happens at a dental checkup: cleaning, exam, X-rays when needed, oral cancer screening and gum checks. Us
Bleeding Gums
Why gums bleed when you brush or floss, what helps at home, when bleeding is an emergency, and how a dentist t
Tooth Abscess
Signs of a tooth abscess, which symptoms mean call 911 or go to the ER, what helps while you wait, and how a d
Wisdom Tooth Pain
Why wisdom teeth hurt, how to ease the pain safely at home, which signs mean emergency care, and what a dentis
Sources
- Swollen Gums: Causes & Treatment · Cleveland Clinic
- Gums – swollen · MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Pericoronitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment · Cleveland Clinic
- Periodontal (Gum) Disease · National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Gum Disease · American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
- Bleeding Gums · American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
- Gingivitis: Symptoms & How To Treat It · Cleveland Clinic
- Ludwig’s Angina: Symptoms, Signs & Treatment · Cleveland Clinic
- Toothache: Symptoms, Causes & Remedies · Cleveland Clinic
- Abscessed Tooth · Cleveland Clinic
Golden Triangle Dentistry is not affiliated with these organizations. Links open in a new tab.
Important information: This page shares general information and is not a diagnosis; a dentist needs to examine your gums to know what’s causing the swelling. For swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, call 911.
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