Why Is My Gum Covering My Tooth? 6 Causes & Fixes

Your gum is covering your tooth most likely because of gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia), a condition where excess gum tissue expands over the tooth surface due to inflammation, medication side effects, hormonal changes, or an erupting wisdom tooth.

This overgrowth isn't just a cosmetic issue—it can trap bacteria, make cleaning difficult, and lead to decay or infection underneath the hidden portion of your tooth. The good news is that most causes are treatable once you identify what's triggering the tissue growth.

What Causes Gum Tissue to Grow Over a Tooth in 2026?

Gum tissue covering a tooth results from one of six main causes: inflammation from plaque buildup, certain medications, hormonal shifts, a partially erupted tooth, genetic conditions, or mouth breathing.

Understanding which cause applies to your situation helps determine whether you need professional treatment or can manage it at home. Let's break down each possibility.

Is Plaque and Gingivitis Making My Gum Grow Over My Tooth?

Chronic inflammation from plaque buildup is the most common reason gums start creeping over teeth. When plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) accumulates along the gumline, your body responds with inflammation. Over time, this inflammation causes the gum tissue to swell and expand.

The swelling can become so pronounced that gum tissue physically covers portions of nearby teeth. This creates a frustrating cycle: the overgrown gum makes cleaning harder, which allows more plaque to accumulate, which triggers more inflammation and growth.

"Gingival overgrowth can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial plaque accumulation and inflammation." — American Academy of Periodontology

You'll often notice that the affected gum looks redder than surrounding tissue, bleeds when you brush or floss, and feels tender to the touch.

Can Medications Cause My Gum to Cover My Tooth?

Yes—certain prescription medications are well-documented triggers for gum overgrowth, a condition called drug-induced gingival hyperplasia. The three main medication categories responsible are:

Drug-induced overgrowth typically begins within the first three months of starting the medication and affects the front teeth most visibly. The overgrowth tends to be firm and fibrous rather than soft and inflamed.

"Phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth occurs in approximately 50% of patients taking the drug." — National Institutes of Health

If you recently started any of these medications and notice your gums growing over your teeth, talk to your prescribing doctor. They may be able to switch you to an alternative medication that doesn't affect gum tissue.

Also Read: Why Is My Gum Swollen Around One Tooth? 8 Causes & Fixes

Why Is My Gum Growing Over My Back Tooth Specifically?

When gum overgrowth targets a back tooth specifically, the most likely culprit is a partially erupted wisdom tooth. This condition, called pericoronitis, occurs when a wisdom tooth doesn't fully emerge through the gum surface.

The flap of gum tissue covering the partially erupted tooth is called an operculum. This flap creates a pocket where food particles and bacteria easily become trapped. The resulting infection causes the gum tissue to swell, making it appear even larger and more prominent over the tooth.

Pericoronitis symptoms include:

• Swollen gum tissue covering part of the back molar
• Pain that may radiate to the jaw, ear, or throat
• Difficulty opening your mouth fully
• Bad taste or odor from the affected area
• Sometimes fever if infection spreads

This condition is most common in people ages 17–25, when wisdom teeth typically attempt to erupt. However, it can occur at any age if wisdom teeth are present and partially covered.

Do Hormonal Changes Cause Gums to Cover Teeth?

Hormonal fluctuations—particularly increases in estrogen and progesterone—can trigger gum overgrowth. This is why certain groups are more susceptible:

Pregnancy: Elevated progesterone levels during pregnancy increase blood flow to gum tissue and alter how gums respond to plaque bacteria. "Pregnancy gingivitis" affects up to 75% of pregnant women and can cause noticeable gum enlargement, especially between the second and eighth months.

Puberty: Hormonal surges during adolescence can cause temporary gum swelling and overgrowth, particularly around the front teeth.

Menstrual cycle: Some women notice cyclical gum swelling that corresponds with their menstrual cycle, though this is usually mild.

Hormonal contraceptives: Birth control pills can cause gum changes similar to pregnancy, though modern low-dose formulations produce this effect less frequently than older versions.

Hormone-related gum overgrowth typically resolves or improves significantly once hormone levels stabilize—after delivery, after puberty, or after discontinuing hormonal contraceptives.

Can Mouth Breathing Make Gums Grow Over Teeth?

Chronic mouth breathing dries out the gum tissue at the front of your mouth. Saliva normally keeps gums moist and contains antibacterial compounds that protect tissue. Without adequate saliva coverage, the gums become irritated and inflamed.

This chronic irritation can trigger gum enlargement, particularly affecting the upper front teeth where air exposure is greatest. Mouth breathers often notice that their gums look red, swollen, and shiny—and may gradually cover more of the tooth surface over time.

Common causes of mouth breathing include:

• Nasal congestion from allergies or chronic sinusitis
• Deviated septum
• Enlarged adenoids or tonsils
• Sleep apnea
• Habitual mouth breathing from childhood

Addressing the underlying breathing issue often allows the gum tissue to return to normal over several weeks or months.

Also Read: Why Is My Gum Swollen? 9 Causes & How to Get Relief

Is Gum Overgrowth Genetic?

A rare condition called hereditary gingival fibromatosis causes gum tissue to grow excessively from childhood, eventually covering significant portions of teeth. This genetic condition:

• Usually begins when baby teeth or permanent teeth first erupt
• Progresses slowly over years
• Affects all areas of the mouth symmetrically
• Produces firm, pink, fibrous tissue (not red or inflamed)
• Occurs independently of plaque or medications

If you've had overgrown gums since childhood and other family members have the same condition, hereditary gingival fibromatosis may be the cause. This requires professional management and often periodic surgical removal of excess tissue.

How to Treat Gum Covering Your Tooth

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause—ranging from improved oral hygiene for mild inflammation to surgical removal for severe overgrowth.

Home Treatment for Mild Gum Overgrowth

If your gum overgrowth is mild and primarily caused by inflammation, these steps can help reduce swelling:

1. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, angling bristles toward the gumline at 45 degrees
2. Floss daily, curving the floss around each tooth and gently sliding under the gumline
3. Use an antimicrobial mouthwash containing chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride
4. Rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces water) 2–3 times daily
5. Consider adding a water flosser to reach areas traditional floss cannot access

Improvement from inflammation-related overgrowth typically takes 2–4 weeks of consistent care. If you see no change after a month, professional treatment is needed.

Professional Dental Treatments

Your dentist or periodontist may recommend:

For drug-induced overgrowth, your dentist will coordinate with your prescribing physician about potentially switching medications. Even after a medication change, surgical removal of excess tissue is often needed because the overgrowth doesn't fully reverse on its own.

Also Read: Why Is My Gum Itchy? 7 Causes & How to Get Relief

When to See a Dentist About Gum Covering Your Tooth

See a dentist within a few days if you have pain, signs of infection, or the overgrowth is interfering with chewing—and within 24 hours if you have fever or difficulty swallowing.

Schedule an appointment promptly if you experience:

• Pain when chewing or touching the affected area
• Bleeding that doesn't stop with gentle pressure
• Pus or discharge from the gum tissue
• Bad breath or foul taste that doesn't resolve with brushing
• Difficulty fully opening your mouth
• The gum tissue covers more than half the tooth
• Overgrowth appeared suddenly or is progressing rapidly

Seek urgent care (same-day or emergency dental visit) if you have:

• Fever accompanying the gum symptoms
• Swelling spreading to your face, jaw, or neck
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Severe pain not controlled by over-the-counter pain relievers

Untreated gum overgrowth can lead to tooth decay (bacteria trapped under the tissue), bone loss, tooth loosening, and in severe infection cases, spread of infection to other areas.

Can You Prevent Gum from Growing Over Your Teeth?

Yes—maintaining excellent oral hygiene prevents most cases of gum overgrowth, and early intervention stops minor swelling from progressing.

Prevention strategies by cause:

• Plaque-related overgrowth: Brush twice daily, floss daily, get professional cleanings every six months
• Medication-related overgrowth: Meticulous oral hygiene reduces severity; discuss alternatives with your doctor if overgrowth develops
• Hormonal overgrowth: Extra attention to oral hygiene during pregnancy or hormonal changes; more frequent dental cleanings if needed
• Wisdom tooth issues: Regular dental X-rays to monitor wisdom tooth position; consider preventive extraction if positioning suggests future problems
• Mouth breathing: Treat underlying nasal obstruction; use saline nasal spray to keep passages clear

If you're taking medications known to cause gum overgrowth, your dentist may recommend professional cleanings every three months instead of every six months to keep inflammation in check.

Also Read: Why Is My Tooth Throbbing? 8 Causes & What to Do Now

In Short

Gum covering your tooth is usually caused by inflammation from plaque buildup, medication side effects (especially anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, or immunosuppressants), hormonal changes, or a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Mild overgrowth from inflammation often responds to improved oral hygiene within 2–4 weeks, while more significant overgrowth requires professional treatment—ranging from deep cleaning to surgical tissue removal. See a dentist promptly if you have pain, signs of infection, or the overgrowth is progressing, and seek urgent care if you develop fever or facial swelling.

What You Also May Want To Know

Why is my gum growing over my back tooth?

Gum growing over a back tooth is most commonly caused by a partially erupted wisdom tooth. The gum flap (called an operculum) covering the tooth traps food and bacteria, causing infection and swelling called pericoronitis. This condition is most common in people ages 17–25 but can occur whenever wisdom teeth are present and partially emerged. Treatment typically involves treating the infection first, then either removing the gum flap or extracting the wisdom tooth to prevent recurrence.

Will the gum covering my tooth go away on its own?

It depends on the cause. Mild swelling from temporary inflammation or hormonal changes may resolve with improved oral hygiene and time. However, significant overgrowth from medications, chronic gingivitis, or genetic conditions typically does not reverse completely without professional treatment. Even after addressing the underlying cause, surgical removal of excess tissue is often needed to restore normal gum contour.

Is it dangerous to leave gum covering my tooth untreated?

Yes, leaving it untreated creates real risks. The covered portion of your tooth becomes impossible to clean properly, allowing bacteria to thrive and potentially cause decay, infection, or bone loss. With pericoronitis specifically, infection can spread to surrounding tissues, causing facial swelling and in rare cases systemic infection. Early treatment is simpler and prevents these complications.

Can I brush the gum that's covering my tooth?

Yes, and you should—gentle cleaning helps reduce bacteria and inflammation. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently around and under the gum tissue as much as possible. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which can irritate the tissue further. Rinsing with warm salt water after brushing helps flush out debris from under the gum flap.

How much does it cost to remove gum covering a tooth?

A gingivectomy (surgical gum removal) typically costs $200–$400 per tooth without insurance, though prices vary by location and extent of overgrowth. Laser gum contouring may cost slightly more. Wisdom tooth extraction ranges from $75–$600 for a simple extraction to $225–$600 for surgical removal. Most dental insurance covers these procedures when medically necessary, though you may have a copay or deductible.

Reviewed and Updated on May 2, 2026 by George Wright