Should I be worried about a swollen gum?

Question: The gum in between one of my teeth has been swollen and red for about a week now. I have a crown right next to it that I had put in two years ago. It is painful but not unbearable. I was just wondering if I should be worried. I have used salt water and listerine every day now and it is not helping. I don't have insurance and can't afford to go see a dentist if it is something normal.

Answers:
SWOLLEN GUMS IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE OR NORMAL. let the nurse stick with nursing. maybe salt water has miracle properties at the hospital but in your mouth it does nothing. go to the dentist immediately. if you wait you might end up in the ER with a serious infection and then the dentist after that anyway. talk about expensive. don't wait til it's something serious and you lose a tooth.

Other Answers:
It may just be irritated, but swelling and redness with discomfort could be an abscess which requires antibiotics. Call your dentist, explain you don't have insurance and they may agree to take a look at you for a nominal charge and give you a prescription for generic antibiotics (if needed) that won't cost more than a few dollars. They may even go ahead and give you samples.

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sounds like an infection in your gum,keep up with the salt mouthwashes

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