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Sore Gums Around Capped Tooth. What Could A Hard, Red Spot On The Gum Be?
I had a root canal done maybe 8 years ago & the dentist capped it with a silver tooth (I guess that s all Medicaid would cover). Well, the last few years, there s been a gap between the top of the silver cap and my gum and it s hurts all the time. Yesterday I ran my tounge across it & in between my silver capped tooth and the tooth behind it, my gums are really sore & it felt like there was something hard and pointy in my gums between my teeth . (like maybe popcorn got stuck in between my teeth). So I tried to get one of the stick flossers and get the thing out of my gums. When I went to dig in between these teeth, my gum came up and there s a hard, dark red spot on the end of the gum...what could that be?
posted on
Fri, 3 Aug 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 4 Aug 2012
Answered on
Tue, 7 Aug 2012
Last reviewed on
Dear Glorianicole11
I feel that there is calculus formation between your cap and gums because of which the gums have been pushed down. Because of constant irritation from the calculus there would be inflammation of gums. The gums would have become red and swollen and also it would bleed when you brush and floss. You need to visit dentist at the earliest and get the area cleaned (by scaling). Get a radiograph (X ray) done so that any changes in the tissues (especially bone) beneath the cap can be seen. If necessary get a new cap done.
Take care and wish you a speedy recovery
Regards
Dr.Avinash
I feel that there is calculus formation between your cap and gums because of which the gums have been pushed down. Because of constant irritation from the calculus there would be inflammation of gums. The gums would have become red and swollen and also it would bleed when you brush and floss. You need to visit dentist at the earliest and get the area cleaned (by scaling). Get a radiograph (X ray) done so that any changes in the tissues (especially bone) beneath the cap can be seen. If necessary get a new cap done.
Take care and wish you a speedy recovery
Regards
Dr.Avinash
I find this answer helpful
Hi Gloria,
The gap between your cap and tooth acts like sulcus where any food that you eat can get stuck. as this gap has been there for a couple of years and i am sure has also increased in size, food lodgement occurs constantly resulting in minor infection and a swelling in your gums. therefore there is also constant, gnawing pain in that region. The hard substance which you felt with your tongue maybe something which got stuck and could not come out on its own. The red spot mostly is the bruising in the area in your attempt to remove the food stuff which will resolve in time. you need to get the cap replaced with a new one and also to get the area thoroughly cleaned by your dentist.
Regards
The gap between your cap and tooth acts like sulcus where any food that you eat can get stuck. as this gap has been there for a couple of years and i am sure has also increased in size, food lodgement occurs constantly resulting in minor infection and a swelling in your gums. therefore there is also constant, gnawing pain in that region. The hard substance which you felt with your tongue maybe something which got stuck and could not come out on its own. The red spot mostly is the bruising in the area in your attempt to remove the food stuff which will resolve in time. you need to get the cap replaced with a new one and also to get the area thoroughly cleaned by your dentist.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
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