Pimples may not only occur all over your facial skin, but also on your gum, close to the teeth. Pimples on gum in mouth can be one of the signs of a mouth sore. However, it may also indicate something more serious than merely a mouth sore. Pimples in gums is also referred as gum abscess, which occurs commonly on the area of the gum, which is irritated or wounded. Finding out possible causes of these pimples will be helpful in treating them properly, so that they will not develop into more serious health problem.

Causes of pimples in gums

Pimples in gums is scientifically coined as periodontal abscess that begins to form when there is an infection on gum. Gum infection is mostly caused by leftover food that is trapped between tooth and gum. This leftover food invites bacteria, which in fact, is already present in your mouth. As a result, bacteria grow very quickly between the tooth and gum, while the body tries to fight it, causing the pimple, which is the body’s natural result when fighting an infection. However, there are some other things or habits that may lead to pimples on gum.

• Tooth extraction or implantation

Pimples near the root canal is often seen after you undergo tooth extraction or implantation procedure. This kind of gum pimples should not be painful, unless it indicates another thing than a normal healing step. Painful root canal gum pimple should be observed more closely and may require a dentist’s examination.

• Tooth or gum abscess

Tooth or gum abscess is an infection around or close to the root that is often associated with tooth decay. Gum pimples often occur as a result of this abscess and may appear as swelling, zit-like bumps on gum near the tooth. A gum pimple that is triggered by tooth or gum abscess also causes swelling to the cheeks or a face side wherein the infection occurs. Since this pimple is caused by bacterial infestation, rinsing the mouth with saltwater or water-diluted baking soda will be helpful.

• Heavy smoking

There are a lot of disadvantages caused by smoking and one of those is the development of gum pimples. Gum pimples may be caused by bacterial infection that comes from the cigarette smoke, and may also be caused by poor blood circulation into the gum that causes mouth sore. Excessive dryness of the mouth that occurs with cigarette smoking also triggers the occurrence of gum pimples.

• Gingivitis and periodontitis

These are two mouth problems that involve the lump of the gum. Pregnant women are susceptible to both of them, which if left untreated can possibly harm the baby inside the belly. The lump of the gum caused by either gingivitis or periodontitis gives harmful bacteria a chance to get into the gum, causing pimple on the site. This pimple is very common to occur on swollen gum that is resulted by these two problems.

When to see a doctor

Pimples on gum commonly occur as a side effect of severe mouth sore or tooth extraction and implantation. In most cases, gum pimples that are zit-like, do not bleed, and do not cause any excruciating pain are harmless and may heal without any medical treatments. However, pimples on gum that are not treated properly may develop into more severe infection and mouth problem, even indicate gum cancer. See a dentist immediately if some of these criteria are met:

• A pimple or lump on gum that won’t heal and does not responds to home remedies or anti-inflammatory medications.
• A gum bump that will not go away after prolonged period.
• Red patches or gum pimples that bleed and will not improve after being treated.
• Constantly bleeding gum and gum pimples that give painful sensation and cause difficulty in chewing.
• Swelling of the same region of the gum that persists and might recur for a long time.
• Gum pimples or bump that lead to tooth decay or losing the tooth on the affected gum.
• Pus-filled gum pimples that hardens and does not respond to any performed treatments, and occur without any previous procedures of the gum or teeth.