How to manage a painful, swollen gum around a back tooth?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have an issue with gum disease. There is a swollen gum present on my back tooth. It hurts when I touch it. It is not seen in front of my tooth. It is present inside my mouth. I have pain in the left jaw. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through the image (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It looks like a periodontal abscess (infection of the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth). As you have braces (molar band specifically), it can also cause it. Another possibility is gingivitis. Again the reason is the same. The third reason can be due to dental caries (but your image does not show any evidence of caries or cavities).

To confirm it, a clinical examination and intra-oral X-ray is needed. You will need a professional cleaning (scaling). For pain, you can take Aceclofenac 100 mg once in the morning and once in the night after food, take Pantoprazole 40 mg once in the night before taking food (only if you have acidity as it can aggravate the acidity).

You can take Amoxicillin CV (Clavulanic acid) for five days one tablet in the morning and one at night. Finish this antibiotic course for five days even if the symptoms subside. If you are allergic to any medicine, stop taking them. Let me know so that I can alter the medication. But, I prefer taking antibiotics only after the clinical examination and X-ray. Do not worry. Consult your dentist. You will be fine. Maintain oral hygiene and since you are wearing braces, be more careful with oral health. Follow the instructions given by your dentist. Do lukewarm saltwater gargling. Is there any other swelling below the angle of your jaw or any pus or blood discharge from the swelling? Or are there any other symptoms present?