Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

Blister on my gum

07/28/2008

Question:

Hi,

My front tooth was extracted six months ago. A recurring blister is now showing on the gum on top of the extracted tooth. It looks like it`s filled with blood and it hurts when I press it. The blisters seems to occur every time I go to the gym after doing heavy weights. I`m concerned because I don`t know waht could be. Should I be worried? Someone mentioned something about “dry socket”?

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Answer:

I would definitely follow up with your dentist. There are a few things that could be the problem. If it was a difficult extraction, you could have a small fragment of the tooth still in place. It is also possible, if the tooth was abscessed, that you could have a residual infection that is not resolving on its own. During the extraction, a small piece of bone could have been fractured and your body is simply trying to remove it by initiating an inflammatory response. I will let you know that what you are describing does not sound like a dry socket. Why it flares up when you are exerting yourself is a bit of an oddity, but it could be associated with the problems I mentioned.

Your dentist should be able to take an x-ray and look around to resolve the problem. Good luck.

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Go to the Dental and Oral Health (Adults) health topic.