If a gum near your tooth swells very large, that might be alarming. This is usually a sign that there is something very wrong with your mouth. You may be on the verge of losing a tooth or that area of your mouth might be in serious need of improved oral hygiene.
Bad Oral Hygiene
When the swelling is only near one tooth, one possible problem is that you have not been brushing or flossing near that tooth well enough. Check your gums to make sure that they are not pale, red, or swollen, which are all signs that the area has been neglected and that you might be suffering from gum disease. If the problem is left unchecked, your gums might recede and you might be at risk of loosing a tooth. You might have pus coming from a tooth and a very bad, persistent smell coming from your mouth.
Medication Side Effects
If you have started taking a medication recently and your swollen tooth coincides with the medication, the swelling might be a side effect of the medication. Consult with your doctor. While it would be unusual for a medication to cause swelling near only one tooth, it is possible.
Aggressive Brushing
The swollen gum might be the result of aggressive brushing. Aggressive brushing can cause food debris to be shoved under the gum line, which can cause an infection. This can lead to an abscess, which is very painful. The abscess can cause more serious symptoms, such as fever, chills, and vomiting. You will need to have this problem treated by a dentist as soon as possible. He or she can drain the abscess and can put you on antibiotics, which will make the symptoms feel better temporarily. However, you must have the condition fully treated by completing the round of antibiotics.
Bad Dental Restorations
If you have had dental restorations and these restorations are old or faulty, your swollen gums might be a side effect of these faulty restorations. Even if you have the best oral hygiene habits, you may still experience swelling around these areas. You may want to have your restorations modified or replaced.
An Infection in or Around Your Tooth
There may be an infection in or around your tooth. If you have a cavity that is untreated, bacteria can spread throughout and infect your tooth. You may need a root canal to extract the infected root pulp. If the problem is severe enough, the tooth might need to be completely extracted.
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