3 Things To Know About Gum Boils

If you see a small raised pimple on your gum, then you might have a gum boil. These boils are different from solid bumps. They usually contain some clear, white, or yellow fluid and have a bit of a wobble when you touch them.

What do you need to know about gum boils?

1. Gum Boils Are a Sign of Infection

Gum boils usually appear because of an underlying infection. The fluid they contain is often pus. If you have an infection in the area, pressure pushes the fluid to the surface. As it moves out, it creates a pimple on the gum.

Boils appear for a couple of reasons. For example, you might have an abscess in your tooth. This infection might have leaked out of the tooth and spread up to the gum. Or, in some cases, a boil is a sign that you have a gum infection or some gum disease in the area.

2. Gum Boils Might Pop

Some gum boils don't change much. They appear on the surface and then stay pretty much the same. However, sometimes, a boil will pop. This can happen when you eat. If you put pressure on the boil, its surface might break, and its fluid will leak out. If the boil is full of pus, then you'll have a nasty taste and smell in your mouth.

Sometimes, boils pop because of internal pressure. If infection keeps leaking into the area, the skin will eventually give way. Don't assume that a boil has fixed itself if it pops. If you do have an underlying infection, the boil is more likely to reform. Plus, try to avoid popping the boil yourself. This won't fix the underlying problem—the boil will come back—plus, you don't want food particles to get into an open wound. This could make the problem worse.

If your boil does pop, then rinse your mouth out with a salt-water solution. This helps keep the area clean and hygienic.

3. Gum Boils Need Fast Assessment

Some people treat gum boils like pimples on other parts of their bodies. They assume that the boil will go away at some point. Boils don't always hurt, so they try to ignore them. However, a gum boil is usually a sign that you need dental treatment. Any infection needs to be managed to stop it from getting worse. Abscesses and gum problems can get painful fast. The sooner you have the underlying problem treated, the better.

If you think you have a gum boil, then schedule an appointment with your dentist. They can work out why the boil has appeared and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

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