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:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- The gum looks unhealthy
- Lump growing on my gums
- I have big gums
- Tongue has pus
- Unhealthy gums
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FAQs
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.