An abscess in the gum is called a periodontal abscess. Dental abscesses are often painful, but not always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It's important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own.

What does a gum abscess look like?

What does a gum abscess look like? It may start as a shiny, reddened area of your gum tissue. As the abscess progresses, a tiny white or yellow dot may appear on your gums, gradually getting larger as the abscess fills with pus. Eventually, the abscess will resemble a pimple on the gum.

Is a gum abscess sore to touch?

Dental abscesses are usually painful. The pain may be situated in the tooth itself, the surrounding gum or be more generalized, including the jaw, cheeks, or even neck or face, depending on the location of the abscess. The affected tooth may: Feel tender.