Emergency · Tower Dental Blackpool

Swollen Gums
Treatment

Swollen gums can indicate infection, gum disease, or an abscess. If the swelling is painful or spreading, call us for a same-day assessment.

Emergency from £71. Hygienist from £71.

What causes gum swelling?

Localised swelling around one tooth usually indicates an abscess (infection at the root) or a gum abscess (infection in the gum pocket). Generalised swelling across several areas is more likely to be gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). Swelling around a partially erupted wisdom tooth is pericoronitis.

Other causes include a trapped piece of food, a hormonal change (pregnancy gingivitis), a reaction to medication, or trauma. If the swelling is accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing, or spreading to the face or neck, seek urgent care — these are signs the infection may be spreading.

How we treat it

For abscess: drain, antibiotics if needed, and plan root canal or extraction. For gum disease: professional cleaning, deep scaling if advanced, and home care guidance. For pericoronitis: clean the area, irrigate, and assess whether the wisdom tooth needs extracting.

Most gum swelling responds quickly to treatment. An abscess can be drained and antibiotics started the same day. Gum disease improves within 2–4 weeks of professional cleaning. The key is identifying and treating the cause — not just managing the symptom.

When to call us

Call the same day if swelling is painful, increasing, or accompanied by fever. Book a routine appointment if the swelling is mild and not worsening — but do not ignore it.