Dental guides
Gum problem advice
Gum symptoms can include bleeding, soreness, swelling, bad breath, recession or a local lump. Some causes are minor, but continuing or worsening symptoms need dental assessment.
These guides cannot diagnose gum disease or infection online. They explain what to notice, what to avoid and when to contact a dentist or seek urgent help.
Published guides
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More emergency topics are being prepared, but this page only links to guides that are already published.
Showing 6 of 6 published guides.
Bleeding gums
5 min readBleeding gums can happen with brushing or eating hard foods. Persistent, worsening or unexplained bleeding should be assessed by a dentist.
Swollen gums
6 min readSwollen gums may be local or more general. Spreading swelling, facial swelling, fever or difficulty opening the mouth needs urgent advice.
Gum pain
5 min readGum pain can come from inflammation, injury, ulcers, dental infection or irritation. Pain with swelling, fever or pus needs prompt dental advice.
Gum abscess
6 min readA painful gum lump, pus, bad taste or swelling may need urgent dental assessment. Do not try to drain gum swelling yourself.
Receding gums
5 min readGum recession can expose tooth roots and increase sensitivity. A dentist can assess the cause and advise how to reduce further damage.
Bad breath
5 min readBad breath is common and often improves with mouth cleaning, but persistent bad breath, bleeding gums or a bad taste should be checked.
Need help with gum symptoms?
Odenta can help patients find general guidance and understand when gum symptoms may need urgent dental care.
Browse gum problem guides