Gumboils are like pimples on the gums caused by infection deep in the roots of a tooth. They can be painful and indicate gum disease or a severely infected tooth. Dentists recommend seeing a dentist for treatment, which may include antibiotics, draining the boil, and addressing the underlying tooth issue. Regular dental care can help prevent gumboils.
Gumboils, also called gum abscesses, are similar to pimples, except they occur on the gums inside the mouth instead of on the face or neck. They also usually indicate an infection deep in the roots of a tooth, while pimples tend to simply indicate a clogged pore or hair follicle. These boils can occur at any time and are usually caused by gum disease or a tooth that has died or has severely infected roots. The infection from the root of the tooth pushes outward towards the gum, creating a pus-filled pocket that can be very painful.
Occasionally, the boil will appear, shrink, and resurface. Some people may have scars that look like, but don’t look like, a boil. Small hard bumps inside the cheeks could be the result of repeated cheek biting or hardening from wearing braces for several years. There are other things that can be confused with this condition.
A gumboil can also feel like an ulcer, especially since these tend to burst too. A person can usually tell the difference because the ulcer can react more easily to irritation with acids, and they resolve within a few days without treatment. Canker sores can also occur on the tongue, inside the mouth, palate and lips.
Dentists recommend that people who develop an abscess make an appointment to see a dentist, as they almost always indicate a problem and infection with an underlying tooth. The blisters can become very large and can burst and drain pus, which tastes very bitter. This usually doesn’t fix the infection, however, because gumboil could be called an outward expression of a deeply hidden infection.
When a dentist sees the patient, he usually uses X-rays to look for any underlying dental infection and may drain the boil to offer some relief. Antibiotics are most often prescribed, as tooth root infection must be addressed before a person can have a root canal or tooth extraction if needed. When the cause is gum disease, occasionally smoothing the roots, smoothing them, and scaling the teeth can help resolve the condition.
Sometimes, gumboils occur if a person has a piece of food stuck in the root of a tooth. These can resolve when the tooth is cleaned thoroughly and the irritant removed. Dentists say abscesses should be taken seriously, as very often they can mean a tooth is in danger without treatment. There is also the very real possibility that the infection could spread to the blood.
Some people, including those with autoimmune diseases and diabetes, are especially prone to gumboils. Regular teeth cleaning and dental care can help prevent infections in most people, but not always. It may also be helpful to use a toothbrush with softer bristles, as abscesses can sometimes result from slicing and repeated abuse of the gums by harder-bristled toothbrushes.
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