Gum Problems
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Try one of these related symptoms.
I have gum pain
Area of my gums is swollen
Gum problems
Bump growing on my gums
Gums inflamed
Tongue have pus
Growth of my gums
Gingival growth
Gums have pus
Gingival lump
Gingival mass
Gingivitis
About the Symptom
Gums problems include bleeding during and after tooth brushing, inflammation causing red and swollen gums, persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth, gum recession, formation of deep pockets between the tooth and gum tissue which may cause loosening and shifting of teeth. These can occur due to infection, poor dental hygiene, and other medical conditions.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fever
Possible Causes
Generally, Gum problems can be related to:
- Stomatitis
Inflammation of the mouth surface causes ulcers. Various factors can cause this, such as vitamin deficiencies, medications, and autoimmunity (the body's immune system attacking itself). Often, no clear cause is found, and the ulcers heal on their own.
Herpes labialis
Herpes labialis, commonly known as cold sores, is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), typically HSV-1. It is characterized by the appearance of painful, fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips and mouth. The virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate during periods of stress, illness, or weakened immunity. While there is no cure, antiviral medications can help reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks, and topical treatments may alleviate symptoms.
Hypophosphatasia (HPP)
Hypophosphatasia is a rare genetic disorder that affects bone and tooth mineralization, leading to skeletal and dental abnormalities.
- Osteomalacia / Rickets
- Malignant Melanoma (Including Nails)
- Burn/Scald of Roof of Mouth
- Dental Caries
- Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Tuberous Sclerosis
- Secondary Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have gum problems?
- Are your gums red?
- How has gum abnormalities changed since it started?
- How long have you had gum abnormalities?
- Are there any lumps on your gums?
Reviewed By:
Luri Lee, DMD (Dentistry)
Dr. Luri Lee graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology. She then continued her education at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. During her time in dental school, Dr. Lee was the recipient of the Spencer N. Frankl Scholarship for her strong academic performance and active participation in the school and community. Following dental school, Dr. Lee stayed at Boston University to complete a one year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program. In 2020 Dr. Lee was recognized among the “10 Under Ten” by the Massachusetts Dental Society for her contributions to the dental community and her volunteer work in Panama. Dr. Lee is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and is a member of the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society and Academy of General Dentistry.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
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- The gum looks unhealthy
- Lump growing on my gums
- I have big gums
- Tongue has pus
- Unhealthy gums
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FAQs
Q.
Can Coconut Oil Pulling Really Reverse Receding Gums?
A.
Coconut oil pulling cannot reverse receding gums; it may modestly reduce plaque, bacteria, bad breath, and mild gingivitis, but it does not regrow lost gum tissue or treat advanced disease. There are several factors to consider and proven steps that can truly protect your gums, including professional cleanings, gentle daily care, managing risks, and in severe cases surgical options; for warning signs and clear guidance on what to do next, see the complete answer below.
References:
* Jain P, Sharma A, Jain D, Gupta S. Oil pulling and its effect on periodontal health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Sci. 2023 Mar;18(1):507-516. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.07.016. Epub 2022 Jul 28. PMID: 36769165; PMCID: PMC9907973.
* Gautam R, Singh B, Kaur H, Verma S. Effectiveness of oil pulling in maintaining oral hygiene: A systematic review. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Jan;11(1):ZE01-ZE04. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/23306.9168. Epub 2017 Jan 1. PMID: 28273970; PMCID: PMC5324483.
* Anushree CN, Harikumar K, Reddy YM, Srilakshmi R, Babu SK. Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Efficacy of Coconut Oil Pulling and Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2020 Jan 1;21(1):50-54. PMID: 33499092.
* Vagish KS, Ramaprasad P, Hegde PM, Kamath V. Coconut oil pulling and gingival health: A case-control study. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2021 Oct-Dec;12(4):681-686. doi: 10.1016/j.jaim.2021.10.003. Epub 2021 Dec 22. PMID: 34971261; PMCID: PMC8722247.
* Peedikayil FC, Sreenivasan P, Narayanan A. Effect of coconut oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in saliva in children: A randomized controlled trial. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2014 Apr-Jun;32(2):113-6. doi: 10.4103/0970-4388.130755. PMID: 24713917.
Q.
Pericoronitis? Why Your Gum Is Swelling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Gum swelling at the back of the mouth is often due to pericoronitis, an infection around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, with medically approved care that includes professional cleaning, pain relievers, antibiotics only when there are signs of spreading infection, and possible wisdom tooth removal for recurrences. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, and red flags like fever, facial or jaw swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, or trouble swallowing need prompt care, so see the complete guidance below to understand what to do now and how to prevent it from coming back.
References:
* Bouloukaki I, Lytou I, Merkourea S. Pericoronitis: Current Concepts on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Curr Oral Health Rep. 2023 Dec;10(4):255-263. doi: 10.1007/s40496-023-00344-w. Epub 2023 Nov 10. PMID: 38047023.
* El Amrani B, Zouaoui L, Jaafar M, Chkoura R, El Kholti A, Mokhtari A. Pericoronitis: Etiology, diagnosis, and management. J Clin Exp Dent. 2022 Dec 1;14(12):e1017-e1022. doi: 10.4317/jced.60096. PMID: 36569145; PMCID: PMC9775330.
* Sahoo PK, Routray S, Debnath K. Management of acute pericoronitis: An updated review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Med Pathol. 2021 Mar;33(2):162-167. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2020.10.007. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID: 33796338.
* Singh A, Singh D, Bhatia R, Nayak B. Microorganisms associated with pericoronitis in impacted mandibular third molars: a systematic review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Med Pathol. 2020 Jan;32(1):17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2019.06.002. Epub 2019 Aug 12. PMID: 32015949.
* Mehra P, Singh J. Pericoronitis. [Updated 2023 Aug 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560636/
Q.
Periodontitis? Why Your Gums Are Receding and Medical Next Steps
A.
Gum recession is often caused by periodontitis, a common but serious infection that damages the tissue and bone supporting teeth, yet it is treatable when caught early. Next steps typically start with a dental exam and deep cleaning, with medications or specialist procedures if needed, and urgent care for severe pain, swelling, pus, fever, or rapidly loosening teeth. There are several factors to consider that could change your plan, including risks, home care, and when to seek urgent help, so see the important details below.
References:
* Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull A, et al. Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis--The EFP S3 Level Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Jul;47 Suppl 22:4-60. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13290. Epub 2020 Jun 2. PMID: 32301138.
* Papapanou PN, Sanz M, Buduneli S, et al. Periodontitis: Consensus report of workgroup 2 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. J Periodontol. 2018 Jun;89 Suppl 1:S173-S188. doi: 10.1002/JPER.17-0721. PMID: 29926871.
* Kinane DF, Stathopoulou PG, Papapanou PN. Periodontal diseases. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Jun 29;3:17038. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.38. PMID: 28660807.
* Kim DM, Jeon YJ. Management of Gingival Recession: Clinical Considerations. Dent Clin North Am. 2019 Jul;63(3):477-486. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2019.03.003. PMID: 31084617.
* Nunez A. Gum disease and the risk of chronic diseases. Front Public Health. 2023 Jul 19;11:1193301. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1193301. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37533860; PMCID: PMC10398715.
Q.
Need a Periodontist? Why Your Gums are Receding and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Gum recession is common and treatable, most often from periodontal disease, but also from harsh brushing, teeth grinding, tobacco use, genetics, and hormone changes. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Medically approved next steps range from professional deep cleaning and improved oral hygiene to gum grafting or regenerative procedures, along with addressing risks like diabetes and smoking; see below for when to see a periodontist and when urgent symptoms mean you should seek care right away.
References:
* Chambrone L, et al. A systematic review on the aetiology of gingival recession. J Clin Periodontol. 2021 Jul;48(7):909-923. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13481. Epub 2021 May 18. PMID: 33908182.
* Jepsen S, et al. Gingival Recession: Etiology, Classification, and Treatment Considerations. J Clin Periodontol. 2018 Sep;45 Suppl 20:S164-S169. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12932. PMID: 30378125.
* Zucchelli G, et al. Management of Gingival Recession: An Overview. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2019 Sep/Oct;39(5):e196-e207. doi: 10.11607/prd.4184. PMID: 31442111.
* Pini Prato GP, et al. Surgical techniques for the treatment of gingival recession defects. J Clin Periodontol. 2016 Sep;43 Suppl 18:S71-S84. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12604. PMID: 27501306.
* Al-Sabbagh M, et al. Updates on Gingival Recession: A Review. Dent Clin North Am. 2019 Jan;63(1):35-50. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2018.08.003. PMID: 30466542.
Q.
Gum Disease? Why Your Gums Fail & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Gum disease happens when plaque bacteria spark ongoing inflammation that begins as reversible gingivitis and can advance to periodontitis that destroys gum and bone, loosens teeth, and is tied to broader health risks like heart and diabetes complications. Medically approved next steps include a timely dental exam with pocket measurements and X-rays, deep cleaning, consistent home care, quitting smoking, managing conditions like diabetes, and advanced periodontal treatments when needed; seek urgent care for severe pain, facial swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing, and see below for key details that could change which next steps you take.
References:
* Hajishengallis, G. (2017). Pathogenesis of Periodontal Diseases. *The New England Journal of Medicine*, *376*(4), 369–380.
* Darveau, R. P., et al. (2018). Host-microbe interactions in periodontal disease. *Nature Reviews Microbiology*, *16*(1), 21–36.
* Papapanou, P. N., et al. (2020). The Global Burden of Periodontal Diseases: An Overview of Available Data and Challenges. *Periodontology 2000*, *82*(1), 3–18.
* Sanz, M., et al. (2020). Treatment of Stage I-III Periodontitis-The EFP S3 Level Clinical Practice Guideline. *Journal of Clinical Periodontology*, *47*(Suppl 22), 4–60.
* Chapple, I. L. C., et al. (2023). Non-surgical periodontal therapy: a review. *Periodontology 2000*, *91*(1), 216–228.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Nazir MA. Prevalence of periodontal disease, its association with systemic diseases and prevention. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2017 Apr-Jun;11(2):72-80. PMID: 28539867; PMCID: PMC5426403.