How to drain a gum abscess at home? This is one of the most essential things you can do at home. A gum abscess is a painful, inflamed, and sometimes life-threatening condition. You may not know that your tooth is sore, but you do know that it hurts. Your gum tissue is inflamed and is slowly being put under pressure. Your dentist may not offer a solution, but you should do what you can to prevent this problem from happening again.