How to get rid of gum boil fast

A gum boil is a pus-filled formation on the gums. Specifically, a gum boil can look like a bump on the gum and is often painful or tender.

Table of Contents Show

Gum boil symptoms
Gum boil treatment
Home remedies for gum boils
Is treatment necessary?
What is a gum boil?
How is a gum boil formed?
What causes a gum boil to form?
Those at risk for developing gum boils
Types of gum boils
Prevention of gum boils
Can a gum boil be left untreated?
Do gum boils go away?
Can you treat a gum boil at home?
What causes gum boils?
What is the fastest way to get rid of a gum abscess?

Gum boils mainly develop when plaque, tooth decay, or food debris build up and cause an infection in the area under the gums. It’s a rare occurrence, but gum boils can sometimes be a symptom of oral cancer.

Types

There are 3 types of gum boils based on where they grow in your mouth:

Gingival abscess forms in the gum line
Periodontal abscess occurs in the tissues supporting the teeth.
Periapical abscess is visible close to the tooth’s root. It develops when an infection spreads to the gums. If you think you have this type of abscess, visit your dentist as soon as possible. You may need a root canal treatment.

Gum boil symptoms

Most boils on the gums cause pain and discomfort, and it’s usually the first sign.

Other symptoms of gum boils can include:

halitosis
bleeding from boils
an earache
inflamed gums
sensitivity to hot or cold
discharge from gums or boils
nausea
a fever

Gum boil treatment

Many times, gum boils occur due to a lack of oral hygiene. Keep brushing your teeth twice a day and floss occasionally to prevent gum boils.

If a boil is already occurring on your gums, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection. You’ll have to take medicines along with the following treatments:

deep cleaning to remove plaque and other buildups from the gums
a root canal therapy if the cause of gum boil is a tooth decay
denture adjustments if the cause is irritation due to ill-fitting
Drainage. A dentist or dental hygienist may remove pus from the boil. This can help soothe the pain and lead to a quick recovery.

Home remedies for gum boils

Here are some simple home treatments to help get rid of gum boils

Gargle your mouth with a warm salt water solution for around 20 seconds and spit. Repeat this at least 2-3 times a day.
Use hydrogen peroxide solution to rinse your mouth
Various essential oils such as clove oil or peppermint oil can help prevent a bacterial disease. Apply it to the affected area
Apply turmeric paste to the affected area by mixing a small amount with your regular toothpaste.

Is treatment necessary?

Gum boils result from bacterial infections. If gum abscess is left untreated, the infection can further spread in the body. It can enter through the bones or into the bloodstream and cause severe health issues.

Summing Up

Practicing a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing your teeth and tongue, flossing, and gargling with a mouth wash, is the best way to prevent gum boils. If you suspect having a gum boil, visit your nearest dentist right away.

Your dentist can diagnose the issue with your gums and check if the gum boil is due to oral cancer or a benign cause. They will also provide treatment for infections before they get severe.

Having an angry-looking boil on the inside of your gum can be uncomfortable, debilitating, and sometimes embarrassing. One day there’s nothing and then BAM! There it is. What do you do about it? What CAN you do about it? Here’s an explanation of what it is and what can be done about it (do not fear- just let the dentist deal with it).

What is a gum boil?

Medically known as a Parulis, a gum boil refers to swelling or an overgrowth of tissue that develops on the gum. A gum boil may be the same colour as the gum or redder.

How is a gum boil formed?

When there is a dead nerve inside a tooth, it will seep out of the tooth via the tip of the root. Because the dead nerve is toxic, the body reacts by sending white blood cells to clean out the infection. Once these white blood cells die, they accumulate as pus on the tip of the root, which causes the formation of an abscess. If the abscess is not treated, it will break through the bone, allowing the pus to leak out of the gums and into the mouth. The point from which the pus leaks forms a blister called a Parulis.

What causes a gum boil to form?

A gum boil is caused by an infection brought on by plaque, bacteria and food particles beneath the surface of the gum, or as a result of an infection caused by a dying nerve.

Those at risk for developing gum boils

If you suffer from gum disease, you are more susceptible to developing gum boils. This is because gum disease causes the formation of pockets, making it easier for food particles to become lodged beneath the surface of your gums, causing an infection.
Tooth decay may also trigger the formation of a gum boil as it causes the nerves of an infected tooth to die, leading to infection.
Those who suffer from bacterial infections, mouth ulcers and periodontal disease, as well as those with compromised or weak immune systems, are also at risk for developing gum boils.

Symptoms

Bump/blister on the gum
Inflammation or swelling of the gums
Pain while chewing
Swollen glands
Foul breath
Bleeding
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Nausea
Fever

Types of gum boils

There are three kinds of gum boils: Gingival Abscess This is caused by an infection brought on by bacteria that affects the gums, following an injury to the mouth. Food particles lodged in the gum could also be the cause. Periapical abscess This forms on the tip of the tooth root. Because of the placement of the infection, it results in a build-up of pressure, resulting in bone and tooth pain. A root canal or an extraction will relieve both the pressure and pain. Periodontal abscess This is caused by the growth of bacteria inside a periodontal pocket. Failure to treat it, results in irreparable damage to the surrounding bone and ligaments, resulting in tooth loss. The most common form of a gum boil is gum overgrowth caused by certain prescription medications, dentures that have a poor fit, or braces.

Prevention of gum boils

The best preventive measure that can be taken is to improve your dental hygiene practices, by brushing twice a day, using a quality antibacterial mouthwash, and flossing at least once a day.

Can a gum boil be left untreated?

It is important to treat a gum boil or an abscess. If left untreated, the infection can spread to your other teeth and even to other parts of your body. Furthermore, an infection can cause bone erosion, which will result in tooth loss.

Treatment

An abscess will need to be drained and antibiotics will be required to fight off the remaining infection.
However, a gum boil may be an indicator of a bigger problem. A root canal may be needed to treat a dying tooth. Or, in more severe cases, the tooth will have to be extracted.
It is best to use toothpaste that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients that could damage the tissue in the mouth, making you more vulnerable to infection.
Treating your gum boil by use of home-remedies may not be the best solution as it could lead to more serious infections.
It is advisable to consult your dentist to have the infection treated as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about a gum boil you may have, we at Honeysuckle Dental are here to help. Give us a call and we will gladly assist you!

Make an Enquiry

Please ask our dental team a question, or book in for an appointment.

Name*
Email*
I would like to:*
Preferred Time*
I am interested in:*
Message*

Submit

Do gum boils go away?

Depending on what type of infection is causing the gum boil, you may be able to heal it on your own at home. Dedicated oral hygiene that removes all plaque from the area on a routine basis may be all you need. If the boil persists you may need professional treatment.

Can you treat a gum boil at home?

If you rinse with a solution like saltwater, the gum boil might come to a head and pop on its own. That's fine if it does, and it may provide temporary relief until you see the dentist.

What causes gum boils?

Boils or bumps on your gums are also known as abscesses. The main reason they form is due to a bacterial infection, whether it's caused by plaque, tooth decay, or particles of food getting stuck in the teeth or gums. In rare situations, the bump may be a symptom of oral cancer.