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This type of gum inflammation can have several different causes. Localized swelling around one tooth could be due to something as simple as food stuck in the gums due to improper brushing or flossing. This food debris can cause inflammation and tooth decay over time. Other times the swelling of the gums around one tooth could indicate something more severe, like an infection. If a person does not properly treat a dental problem, it may lead to more serious problems. This article outlines the possible causes of swollen gum around one tooth. It also provides information on treatment and when to see a dentist. Causes Share on Pinterestzoranm/Getty ImagesThere are several reasons a person may experience localized swelling around a specific tooth. Possible causes include the following. Poor dental hygiene Sometimes, food debris remains between the tooth and the gum line. If a person does not remove the debris, it can cause plaque buildup and the gum around the tooth to swell. Over time, this may result in dental decay and gum disease. In addition to swelling around one tooth, some other signs of poor dental hygiene may include:gum rednessbad breathloose or broken teethbleeding while brushing or flossing teeth Flossing and brushing will usually remove this debris. Periodontal disease In the United States, about 46% of people ages 30 years or older show signs of gum disease. The medical term for this is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease happens due to infection and inflammation of the gums that support and surround the teeth. These infections occur when a person has a buildup of plaque. Plaque hardens to form tartar, which is more difficult to remove. There are two stages of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. When a person has gingivitis, their gums can swell. This condition is reversible, but it can lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is the second stage of periodontal disease, during which the gums pull away, or recede, from the tooth. When this happens, an infection can damage the bone that supports the tooth, causing the tooth to loosen or even fall out. A person with periodontitis will experience the following symptoms in addition to those of gingivitis:teeth that appear longer due to gum recessionteeth that appear further apartteeth that are loose or wobblypus between the gums and teetha change in the way that the teeth fit together when bitinga change in the fit of partial dentures Dental abscess A dental abscess is a collection of pus that forms within a tooth or its surrounding structures due to a bacterial infection. An abscess is when the infection enters the jawbone from the root tip. Without treatment, a dental abscess may lead to severe infections in the neck or head. There are two types of dental abscesses: Periapical abscesses and periodontal abscesses. The former usually occurs due to decay or tooth fractures and affects the root of a tooth. The latter mainly affects the gums. Both types of dental abscesses may cause gum swelling and redness around one tooth. Other symptoms of a dental abscess include:intense throbbing pain in the tooth or gumpain that radiates to the ear, jaw, or neckpain that is worse when lying downa tender, discolored, or loose toothfacial redness and swellingsensitivity to hot and cold foods or beveragesbad breathan unpleasant taste in the mouth If the dental abscess is severe, a person may also experience:a fevera general feeling of being unwelldifficulty opening the mouthtrouble swallowingsore throat Home remedies The following home remedies can help reduce gum inflammation and improve gum health. Antiseptic mouthwash Antiseptic mouthwash cannot remove existing plaque and tartar, but it can help control the buildup of additional plaque bacteria. Antiseptic mouthwash is available over the counter at drugstores and pharmacies. Sometimes, dentists may prescribe an antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. Research suggests this is the most effective ingredient in antiseptic mouthwashes. Saltwater rinse A 2021 study investigated the effects of a saltwater rinse on gum wound healing following periodontal surgery. Researchers found that salt water rinses reduced inflammation, and contributed to the healing process as effectively as medicated mouthwashes. People can make an effective saltwater solution by dissolving a level teaspoon of salt in a cup of cooled boiled water. They can rinse with the solution three to four times a day. Tea tree oil rinse A 2020 trial found that tea tree oil can be an effective treatment against gingivitis. These ingredients have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In the study, participants using tea tree oil rinses showed improvements in various measures of gum health, including reduced plaque and gum inflammation. Turmeric gel Turmeric is a yellow spice common in the culinary world and Ayurvedic medicine. Some people use turmeric orally as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Because of the anti-inflammatory benefits of its main ingredient, curcumin, it may also help relieve pain. Ibuprofen Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce gum pain while a person undergoes treatment for dental abscesses or periodontal disease. Medical treatment People can speak to their dentist about the following medical treatments: Tooth scaling and polishing Professional tooth cleaning removes tartar from the teeth, which can help prevent the progression of gingivitis. In these procedures, the dental hygienist uses special instruments to scrape off the tartar during the cleaning. They then smooth and polish the tooth’s surface to help prevent future plaque accumulation. Root planing Root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from the roots of teeth. People who undergo this procedure will often receive a local anesthetic. Antibiotics Oral antibiotics are usually effective in treating dental abscesses. A person must also undergo dental treatment, such as a root canal or extraction, to address the cause of the abscess Sometimes, the infection may spread to other body parts. In very severe cases, a person may need to stay in the hospital and receive intravenous antibiotics. Incision and drainage In some cases, a dentist may need to make an incision in the abscess to drain and remove the infected pus. After drainage, the dentist will flush the area with saline. Other treatments may also be necessary. Root canal A root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing bacteria from the infected tooth roots. The dentist accesses the tooth roots via the crown, the visible part of the tooth. They then clean and fill the roots and crown. Some people may need an artificial crown to protect and restore the tooth. Tooth extraction Occasionally, a dentist may need to remove the infected tooth. This procedure will require local anesthesia. Recovery after an extraction is often straightforward. However, some people with bleeding disorders or on certain medications may require additional treatment to stop excessive bleeding. When to see a dentist People should have a dental checkup at least once or twice a year, even if they do not have any tooth or gum symptoms. Checkups allow the dentist to treat any problems in the early stages before they become more severe. People should see a dentist between scheduled visits if they experience any of the following symptoms:swollen or bleeding gumsmouth spots or sores that last longer than a weekjaw pain or an uneven bitedifficulty chewing or swallowingpain or swelling in the mouth, face, or neck Prevention The best way to prevent gum inflammation is to practice good oral hygiene by:brushing the teeth twice a dayflossing at least once a dayhaving a dental checkup once or twice a yearvisiting the dentist if experiencing swollen gums or tooth painavoiding excess sugar to prevent plaque formationavoiding tobacco use Summary Swollen gums around one tooth can occur for many reasons, including poor dental hygiene and periodontal disease. People should visit the dentist if the swelling persists for more than a week. An earlier appointment is necessary if a person suspects a tooth abscess. In many cases, a person can prevent gum swelling by practicing good oral hygiene, which involves brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist for routine checkups. Last medically reviewed on October 6, 2022DentistryInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses 14 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Amoian, B., et al. The clinical evaluation of vi-one chlorhexidine mouthwash on plaque-induced gingivitis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. (2017).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633216/Collins, J. R., et al. (2021). Anti-inflammatory effect of salt water and chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse after periodontal surgery: a randomized prospective clinical study [abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33389135/Facts about adult oral health. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/index.htmlFan, G., et al. Uncontrollable bleeding after tooth extraction from asymptomatic mild hemophilia patients: two case reports. (2022).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8919556/Gasner, N.S., et al. Periodontal disease. (2022).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554590/Gum disease. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/gum-disease/index.htmlGum disease information. (n.d.).https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-symptoms.htmMackay, M. The role of turmeric (curcumin) in gingival health. (2021).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8447117/Mehrotra, N., et al. Periodontitis. (2022).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541126/Ripari, F., et al. Tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine mouthwash in treatment of gingivitis: a pilot randomized, double blind clinical trial. (2020).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7069753/Root canal explained. (n.d.).https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/root-canal-explained/Sanders, J. L., et al. Dental abscess. (2022)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493149/Scaling and root planing. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/scaling-and-root-planingYour top 9 questions about going to the dentist - answered! (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/questions-about-going-to-the-dentistFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — By Charlotte Lillis — Updated on October 6, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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