Why is my gums swollen and smelly?

Swollen gums accompanied by a foul odor are usually caused by various oral diseases. 1. Gingivitis is a common cause. Inadequate oral hygiene allows food debris to accumulate and bacteria to proliferate, irritating the gums and causing inflammation, which leads to swelling, pain, and a foul smell. 2. Periodontitis can also cause swollen, painful gums and bad breath. It is a progression of gingivitis, with large amounts of bacteria present in the periodontal tissues, potentially causing symptoms such as pus discharge from the gums and tooth mobility. 3. Dental caries and pericoronitis of wisdom teeth are also common triggers. Food debris fermenting within carious cavities produces a foul odor, while pericoronitis occurs due to insufficient space for wisdom tooth eruption, making inflammation and bad breath more likely. To address this issue, it is recommended to take various treatment measures, including oral hygiene maintenance, use of mouth rinses, and application of local antibacterial medications. If symptoms persist or worsen, prompt medical attention should be sought for professional treatment.