Pus coming from your gum is a serious sign and not something to monitor from home. It means an active infection is present, and the pus has found a way to drain — which sounds like relief but actually means the infection is established and spreading.
What It Could Be
A gum abscess (periodontal abscess) occurs when bacteria get trapped in a gum pocket adjacent to a tooth. The pocket fills with pus and drains through a tiny hole (fistula) in the gum. You might notice a bitter taste, mild pain, or a small bump on the gum that intermittently releases pus.
An infected dental cyst at the root tip can also produce pus. These cysts often develop silently until they grow large enough to cause swelling or drain. Dental cysts require X-ray diagnosis.
Sometimes a dental fistula looks like a pimple on the gum but is actually a drainage tunnel from an abscessed tooth through the bone and gum. The tooth itself may not hurt much because the pressure is draining — but the underlying infection is very real.
Why This Needs Treatment
An abscess that can drain is actually more dangerous than one that's contained, because it means the infection has a pathway to spread. Left untreated, the infection can damage surrounding bone, affect adjacent teeth, and in severe cases spread to the face or into the bloodstream (sepsis).
Treatment involves draining the abscess, possibly a course of antibiotics, and then addressing the underlying cause — which might be root canal treatment, extraction, or deep gum cleaning depending on the diagnosis. Don't wait. This is time-sensitive.
If any of this sounds familiar, book an assessment with us. The sooner we take a look, the simpler the treatment is likely to be. Call the practice on 01323 723757 or book online at www.meadsdental.com.