By Dr. Nishi Tandon I Dentist
A gum boil is an abscess that develops on the gums. It looks like a swollen bump and mainly results from a bacterial infection beneath the surface of the gum.
Types: Based on where the gum boil is located, it’s categorized as one of three types:
in the gum line: gingival abscess
at the root of the tooth: periapical abscess
in the supporting tissues of the teeth: periodontal abscess
Cause: The main cause of a gum boil is bacteria — often from plaque, food particles, or tooth decay that leads to infection beneath the surface of the gum.
Symptoms: Pain, bad breath, bleeding, pus discharge ,an earache ,swollen gums, sensitivity to hot or cold, nausea, pyrexia .
Treatment: In many cases, a gum boil is the result of poor dental hygiene. Maintenance of good oral health is the best way to avoid gum boils.
A deep cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist if the cause is unhealthy gums
A root canal by a dentist or an endodontist if the cause is tooth decay
Avoiding treatment for a gum boil
A gum boil is an abscess resulting from a bacterial infection. If any abscess — oral or otherwise — isn’t treated, the infection can spread through the bones or the bloodstream to other body parts, which can be life-threatening.
