Gum Boil vs Abscess: How To Tell the Difference
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the distinction between a gum boil vs an abscess – and for good reason. These two conditions are intricately related. Learn how to tell the difference between an abscess and a gum boil in this guide.
What’s a gum boil?
A gum boil, or parulis, is a visible indicator of an underlying bacterial infection in a tooth or the surrounding gum tissue. Here’s what you need to know:
What causes gum boils?
Gum boils are symptoms of dental abscesses. When an infection begins in the gums, your immune system responds by increasing inflammation and killing the pathogens, which causes pus to form. As pressure builds in the infected pocket, pus can carve a pathway through the gums in search of a release point. A gum boil appears when that pus becomes trapped just below the surface of the gums.
Are gum boils the same as pimples?
A gum boil may resemble a pimple, cyst, or canker sore, but it is not the same thing. Pimples form when a pore becomes clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and other bacteria. These blemishes are usually harmless and affect only the skin, not the inside of the mouth.
Common symptoms
Symptomatically, it’s hard to differentiate between a gum boil vs an abscess without knowing what’s happening below the surface. In fact, the only real difference is that a gum boil creates a small red, white, or yellow bump on the gums. In some cases, gargling with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution may relieve symptoms of a boil, but it won’t address the infection.
What, exactly, is an abscess?
A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket caused directly by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth. It’s the underlying condition responsible for the formation of a gum boil.
What causes a tooth abscess?
An abscess develops when bacteria gain access to areas that are normally protected by healthy gum and bone tissue. Causes include:
Untreated tooth decay
Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
Periodontal disease (gum disease)
Failed or aging dental work
Poor oral hygiene
Types of tooth abscesses
There are three primary types of abscesses. Periapical abscesses are the most common, forming at the tip of a tooth root. They’re typically caused by decay, trauma, or damage to the tooth pulp. Periodontal abscesses are often associated with advanced gum disease and develop in the gum tissue and supporting structures around a tooth. Gingival abscesses initially affect only the gum tissue. They may appear when food particles, debris, or foreign objects become trapped beneath the gums.
If left untreated, any type of dental abscess can spread infection to nearby tissues, bone, and, in some cases, other parts of the body.
Common symptoms
With or without a visible gum boil, an abscess can cause many symptoms, including:
Persistent, throbbing toothache
Sharp pain when biting or chewing
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
Redness, swelling, and inflammation of the gums
Persistent bad breath
A bad taste in the mouth if the abscess ruptures
More serious symptoms, such as facial swelling, extreme pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, require immediate care from your dentist or healthcare provider.
How to distinguish between a gum boil vs abscess
While it’s possible to have an abscess without a gum boil, a gum boil can’t develop without an underlying infection. That said, there are a few ways to differentiate between a gum boil vs an abscess.
Location
Since dental abscesses form at the tooth root, in a periapical pocket, or within the gum tissue, they’re rarely visible from the outside until they form a boil. Once pus begins approaching the surface of the gums, a gum boil develops. While this visible portion is called a gum boil, it’s really just a manifestation of the underlying abscess.
Symptoms and pain level
Attempting to distinguish a gum boil vs abscess by symptoms alone is rarely helpful. After all, they both stem from the same root cause. It’s also important to note that pain isn’t always a reliable indicator of severity. Some abscesses may drain continuously, limiting the pressure that can build beneath the surface. If you have any symptoms of an abscess or gum boil, don’t delay proper care.
How to tell which one you have
A gum boil is not a standalone condition. If you notice a small pimple-like bump on your gums, it’s best to assume there’s an abscess below the surface and seek treatment right away.
Ultimately, you’ll need to visit your dentist for a professional diagnosis. Whether you schedule a routine cleaning, check-up, or emergency appointment, they will likely take X-rays or other imaging to determine the extent of the infection. Your treatment options may include draining the abscess, performing a root canal, or extracting the infected tooth.
Don’t put off proper dental care, book your appointment at Coral Reef today!
An untreated dental abscess can be detrimental to your overall health, so prompt care is essential. Reach out to Coral Reef Dental today to learn more about your treatment options.