There is a white pustule on the gums, what's going on?

Many people have had this experience in life.

There is an abscess on the gums, which keeps growing after being squeezed out.

It always rubs against my food when I eat, causing unbearable pain, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger...

You may have multiple doubts at this point:

Why do abscesses appear on the gums?

Why do abscesses recur?

Can you pick the abscess yourself?

Is it necessary to see a dentist for abscess treatment?

......

To deal with abscesses, we must understand the "root cause"

Why do gums develop abscesses?

Let's use a simple process to explain why gums get abscesses:

Oral bacteria

↓

Decayed/broken teeth/teeth with holes

↓

Affects the tooth nerve

↓

Dental nerve infection

↓

Inflammation affecting the bone around the tooth root

↓

Purulence of tissue around tooth root

↓

Pus penetrates the bone and rushes out of the gums

↓

Swollen gums

↓

Abscesses on the gums visible to the naked eye

Pathological analysis

Dentists explain that small pustules on the gums indicate that there are health problems with the teeth and need to be taken seriously. Most small pustules on the gums indicate that there are problems with the teeth in the corresponding position.

Is it just a small abscess? Actually, it is not that simple! What you see is just a surface phenomenon. The abscess indicates that the root of the tooth in the gums has been inflamed. The bacterial infection of the dental pulp has evolved into root inflammation, which has caused the alveolar bone to spread. The alveolar bone is affected by the inflammation, so an abscess will bulge on the gums, and the fistula from the root tip to the root of the tooth is the secretion produced in the abscess. If this problem occurs, you must see a dentist, otherwise the situation will become more and more serious.

There are usually two situations when gums have abscesses

01. Tooth root inflammation

It is more common in patients with severe tooth decay, deep cavities, fillings and root canal treatments, and dental trauma.

As the bacteria infect the dental pulp, it gradually develops and expands. The inflammation enters the tooth root and alveolar bone through the dental pulp, and then continues to spread. The alveolar bone is destroyed and absorbed, and the pus rushes out of the alveolar bone to the surface of the gums, forming an abscess on the gums, forming a fistula from the root apex to the root, and the secretions produced by the inflammation flow out from here.

02. Periodontitis

Bacteria continue to destroy periodontal tissues, and gingivitis further develops into deep periodontitis, so pus often accumulates deep in the periodontal tissues, sometimes causing gum ulcers and pus outflow.

Can gum abscesses be popped?

It is best not to move blindly, and don't squeeze the abscess with your hands. There are many bacteria on your hands. If the wound is not disinfected in time, it will cause secondary infection. It is recommended to go to a regular dental institution for examination, let the doctor determine the cause of the symptoms, and then treat them symptomatically.

How to treat gingival abscesses?

01Treatment of abscesses caused by apical periodontitis

First, take an X-ray to check the destruction of the periapical tissue to see if the tooth can be retained;

●If you can’t keep it, just unplug it;

●If it can be retained, it will be treated (root canal treatment or root canal retreatment). Sometimes an incision will be made under the gums to drain the pus. The tooth will be filled after the tooth improves and the root canal treatment or root canal retreatment is completed.

02. Treatment of periodontal disease

The principle is to relieve swelling and prevent the spread of infection. First, make an incision to drain the periodontal pocket or swollen gums. After the incision, rinse the abscess cavity and introduce anti-inflammatory drugs. At this time, the patient should pay attention to diet and avoid spicy stimulation. If the lesion has affected the pulp, root canal treatment is also required.

How to prevent gum abscesses?

Check your teeth regularly. Focus on controlling and eliminating dental plaque. The most effective and direct way is to visit a dentist, who will give you more guidance. If you have any disease or discomfort, the doctor will provide professional solutions.

Clean teeth regularly. Remove local irritants, clean teeth and scrape off tartar and plaque in periodontal tissues to remove the cause and reduce the possibility of disease.

Timely treatment of periodontal disease is effective in the early stages, but poor in the late stages, and may even result in tooth loss.

Develop good oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth correctly every day, eat a healthy diet, exercise to enhance your immunity, and have regular checkups.

Pay attention to diet. For example, supplementing foods rich in vitamin C can regulate the nutrition of periodontal tissues and is beneficial to the recovery of periodontitis.