What are Gumboils?
Gumboils are painful, pimple-like swellings that can erupt on your gums, usually as a result of decay or an abscess(an infection). The gumboil is full of pus that has worked its way to the surface of the gum. You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water to relieve irritation and to bring the boil to a head. Once it comes to a head it may burst on its own and release its contents. Because a gumboil is usually a symptom of a serious infection or gum disease, the appearance of one should be reason to call your dentist promptly for an appointment. Decay generally begins with a small spot of demineralized enamel on the tooth surface, usually hidden from sight in an individual tooth fissure or between teeth. This is why brushing, which is effective at getting into fissures, and flossing, which is the best way to get between teeth, are so important to good oral health. An abscess is an infection around the root of a tooth in the gum or the jawbone. Pus begins to collect as a result of the in
Gumboils are rather like pimples, except they occur on the gums instead of on the face or neck. They also usually indicate an infection deep in the roots of a tooth, whereas pimples tend to merely indicate a blocked pore or hair follicle. Gumboils can occur at any time and are usually caused by gum disease, or a tooth that has died or that has severely infected roots. Infection from the root of the tooth pushes outward to the gum creating a small to large pus filled pocket that can feel very painful. Occasionally the gumboil will show up and may recess and emerge again. Some people may have scarring that looks like but doesn’t feel like gum boils. Small hard bumps on the inside of the cheeks could be the result of repeated biting of the cheek, or hardening from wearing braces from several years. There are other things that may be confused with gumboils. Such boils can also look like a canker sore, especially since these tend to burst also. You can usually tell the difference though bec
