Gum infection symptoms include red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, pus between teeth, and pain when chewing, indicating issues like gingivitis or periodontitis, requiring prompt dental attention for treatment like professional cleaning and potentially antibiotics to prevent tooth loss.
What Can I Do At Home?
Symptoms
Gums may be red, swollen, tender, or bleeding. The gums may pull away from the teeth making them appear longer. Loose or sensitive teeth. Pain while chewing.
A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own.
If you're dealing with a throbbing toothache, you probably have one main question: "How long will this last?" A tooth infection, also called a dental abscess, is not something that will heal on its own. Without professional care, the pain and swelling can last for weeks or even months.
The 3-3-3 rule for toothache is a temporary pain management strategy: take 3 ibuprofen (200mg each) three times a day for 3 days, but 3 hours apart (or every 8 hours), to reduce inflammation and pain until you can see a dentist; it's crucial to consult a doctor first, especially with underlying conditions, as it's not a cure but a short-term fix for inflammation.
Could Gum Disease Be a Sign of Another Condition?
Gingivitis. This is the earliest stage of gum disease. It starts with red, puffy gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, there's no bone loss.
Dentists use it to numb the specific area they're working on, which should block most of the pain signals. It's usually given as an injection, and you might feel a little pinch when it goes in, but after that, the area should go numb pretty quickly.
Symptoms
Clean your teeth carefully twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste – ask your dentist to show you a good brushing method to remove plaque. Floss once a day to remove small bits of food from between your teeth, which will help to prevent the build-up of plaque.
Swollen gums usually have a reddish or purplish hue due to increased blood flow. They may also appear smooth or shiny, and they usually bleed.
Eat a healthy diet, and avoid sugary foods and drinks. Do not smoke or use spit tobacco. Tobacco use slows your ability to heal. It also increases your risk for gum disease and cancer of the mouth and throat.
Top 3 Best Mouthwash for Periodontal Disease
How Can I Treat Red and Swollen Gums?
Symptoms of gum disease can include: Persistent bad breath. Red, swollen, or tender gums. Gums that bleed easily.
Advanced Periodontitis (Stage 4): The most severe stage marked by significant bone loss, deep pockets, and tooth mobility. Advanced cases may necessitate tooth extraction, involving surgical procedures.
Gingivitis can cause bright or dark red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, especially when you brush your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. They fit tightly around the teeth.
A dentist or hygienist will look for redness, swelling, and plaque. They use a periodontal probe to measure pocket depths around teeth. Healthy pockets are shallow; deeper pockets or bleeding on probing often mean inflammation and possible early gum disease.
Signs of an infection spreading
Gums may appear slightly red early in the healing process, but intense redness, puffiness, or heat around the wound should be checked.
According to acupressure, gently pressing the area between your thumb and index finger (called the Hegu or LI4 point) may help reduce toothache pain temporarily. However, this should not replace professional dental care.
Code 1 – Slight bleeding when probed, no calculus or gingival pockets under 3.5mm. Code 2 – Slight bleeding when probed, Calculus or Plaque present and gingival pockets under 3.5mm. Code 3 – Calculus and Plaque present under the gum margin and gingival pockets between 3.5 – 5.5mm.
Common Symptoms of an Infected Tooth