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Send a photo — $25Swollen gum: what it is, and what to do
Most swollen gums are one of three things — gingivitis along the gum line, pericoronitis around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, or an abscess draining through the gum. Here's how to tell which you have, what's safe to do tonight, and when to escalate.
Written and reviewed by an AHPRA-registered dentist.
Stop and act if
When swollen gum is an emergency
Local gum swelling rarely needs an ED. The signs below mean the infection has gone beyond the gum — our wider guide to dental emergencies in Australia covers the after-hours dentist versus ED line in more detail.
Call 000 or head to a hospital ED if any of the following are present.
- Swelling spreading toward the eye, neck, or under the jaw
- Fever above 38.5 °C alongside the swelling
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or opening your mouth fully
- Voice change or muffled speech
Read the pattern
What's actually swelling
Three patterns cover the great majority of swollen-gum presentations.
Red, puffy gum line — bleeds when brushed
Gingivitis. Plaque sitting at the gum line for too long. Reversible with better cleaning over 2–3 weeks; book a clean when convenient. Deeper read on how to settle bleeding gums and gingivitis at home.
A flap of swollen gum over a partially erupted back tooth
Pericoronitis around an erupting wisdom tooth. Warm salt rinses focused under the flap, gentle brushing, OTC pain relief. Usually settles in 3–7 days. See the wisdom tooth guide for the full playbook.
A localised lump or 'gum boil' next to a single tooth
Almost always an abscess draining through the gum — the tooth's nerve has died and infection is finding the path of least resistance. Needs definitive dental treatment within a day or two — see our deeper read on signs of a tooth abscess and when antibiotics are not enough. Treatment is usually a root canal at typical Australian fees or extraction.
While you arrange care
What's safe to do tonight
General guidance, not personal advice.
- Warm salt-water rinses, a few times a day, focused on the area.
- Gentle brushing around the swollen area — don't avoid it; let plaque clear.
- OTC pain relief per the packet if there's discomfort.
- Cold compress outside the cheek if it's tender. Avoid heat on the face.
- Don't try to drain a gum boil yourself. Don't smoke.
These steps help. None of them resolve an abscess on their own — if there's a localised lump, you need a dentist's eye on it within a day or two.
FAQ
Swollen gum: common questions
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