What should I do if my gums are abscessed?

Gingivitis is very common in clinical practice. It is typically caused by persistent irritation leading to gingival inflammation, which may progress to gingival abscess formation. So, what should be done if a gingival abscess develops?

What to Do If a Gingival Abscess Develops

Once a gingival abscess occurs, the underlying inflammation must be addressed and eliminated. If dental plaque is not effectively removed, calculus (tartar) will accumulate around the teeth. Prolonged presence of calculus promotes further plaque buildup, causing the gums to become red, swollen, soft, and even purulent. The first-line treatment is professional teeth cleaning (scaling), which removes all plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces and polishes them. If the abscess is severe and accompanied by intense pain, antibiotics should be administered initially, followed by scaling once the inflammation has subsided.

The treatment principles for acute periodontal abscesses include pain relief, prevention of infection spread, and drainage of pus. In the early stage—before the abscess has fully formed—periodontal pocket irrigation may be performed, followed by placement of antiseptic, astringent, or antimicrobial agents into the pocket. Systemic antibiotic therapy or supportive treatment may be necessary when indicated. Premature incision and drainage should be avoided, as it may lead to excessive bleeding and increased pain.

During a gingival abscess, patients should eat sparingly and avoid local irritants—particularly hard foods. If the abscess is severe, antibiotic therapy should be initiated under a physician’s guidance to control the inflammation. We hope this information is helpful to you.