I have some sort of gum infection...?

Question

How can I tell if it's viral or bacterial?

It's around one tooth, and the tooth is healthy. My gum is red and sore with some small spots of translucent white over it that change day to day.

I think it's been there for like 4 days now? The area affected has grown to include the part of my inner cheek that's touching it, but it's still a relatively small area.

I don't know if this is gingivitis or some sort of cold sore that's *in* my mouth instead of on it or what. It's never bled (making gingivitis less likely?) and it doesn't look anything like thrush.

If it is viral, what can I do to make it go away faster?

I know that both hydrogen peroxide and salt water will help if it's bacterial, but they won't do anything if it's viral.

I have a prescription that I can take when I get cold sores (which has never happened inside my mouth before), but I don't want to take it unless I know that's what it is because I want to save it for when I have an actual cold sore.

I need to know which it most likely is so I can pick which route to go with. I know that seeing a doctor or dentist and having a culture done would give me the most certain results, but I can't take off of work this week to go in and I want to get rid of this.

What are the differences in symptoms/appearance for a viral infection in one's mouth vs. a bacterial infection?

Answer 1

Talk to your dentist. Only he can make a determination, as he can actually see it, and culture it.

Answer 2

Gently brush with Hydrogen Peroxide at least once a day to get it into the edges of the gums and swish about every 4 hours.

It will bubble the infection out of your gums and kill pain very quickly. I would say in 5 to 7 day s your gums will be healthy again. Painlessly.

I too have been using Hydrogen Peroxide for 40 years and have mediocre teeth but excellent gums. We also rarely need the dentist.

Answer 3

Get some hydrogen peroxide at the drugstore and rinse your mouth every day. It will kill the bacteria that is causing the problem and prevent future infections. Our whole family uses it and we practically never have to go to the dentist. Dentists dont tell you about it because they are in business to make money and want to keep you coming back.