A sore spot on the gums can be caused by trapped food, gum disease, an abscess, or a canker sore. See a dentist.
Common causes
- Food stuck between teeth or gums.
- Gingivitis or periodontitis.
- Gum abscess (pus pocket with swelling).
- Canker sore.
- Irritation from brushing too hard or dental appliances.
- Cracked tooth.
- Impacted wisdom tooth.
Home care
Rinse with warm salt water, floss gently, and use a soft brush.
See a dentist if
Pain lasts more than 2 days, there is swelling, pus, fever or a bad taste. An abscess needs treatment.
Emergency
Swelling spreading to the face or neck, or trouble breathing or swallowing needs urgent care.
Prevention
Brush twice a day, floss and get cleanings.
Causes related to the gum
- Gingivitis: bacterial plaque inflames the gum, causing redness, swelling and bleeding.
- Periodontitis: advanced gum disease with pockets and bone loss.
- Gum abscess: a pocket of pus with throbbing pain and swelling.
- Canker sore: a small, painful ulcer with a white or yellow center.
- Trauma from hard foods like chips, aggressive brushing or dental work.
- Food stuck under the gum line.
- Tooth eruption, such as wisdom teeth.
- Dental appliances that rub, such as braces or dentures.
Systemic factors
Hormone changes in pregnancy, smoking, diabetes, vitamin C deficiency and some medicines can increase gum problems.
Home care
- Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in a cup of water) several times daily.
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Floss carefully to remove food debris.
- Take over the counter pain relievers as directed.
- Avoid hot, spicy or hard foods for a few days.
Do not do
Do not put aspirin directly on the gum, which can burn tissue. Do not pop an abscess.
See a dentist if
Pain lasts more than a few days, or you see swelling, pus, loose teeth, fever or a bad taste in your mouth.
Emergency
Swelling that spreads to the face or neck or makes it hard to swallow or breathe needs immediate care, because an infection can spread.
Prevention
Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and get a professional cleaning every 6 months or as the dentist advises.
Local causes of one-spot gum pain
Pain in a single spot on the gums often comes from trapped food, a small cut from hard food or brushing, a canker sore, gum infection (gingivitis or an abscess), irritation from a wisdom tooth growing in (pericoronitis), or a cracked tooth. A periodontal abscess shows as a painful, swollen, red area that may ooze pus and taste bad. A tooth abscess affects about 1 in 10 people with untreated decay at some point, and it needs a dentist because infection can spread. Gum recession and cavities near the gumline can also cause localized pain.
Care and warning signs
Rinse with warm salt water, using half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water, floss gently to remove trapped debris, and take an over the counter pain reliever as directed. Avoid placing aspirin on the gum, since it can burn the tissue. See a dentist if pain continues more than 2 to 3 days, the area is swollen, bleeds easily or has a bump. Go to urgent care or an emergency room for facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, since deep infections can become dangerous. Brush gently twice a day and floss daily to prevent recurrence.
Based on data from the American Dental Association and the Mayo Clinic
