Old swollen and painful gums may be gingivitis, periodontitis, wisdom teeth pericoronitis and so on. You should consult a doctor in time to find out the cause of the disease. 1. Gingivitis: it is caused by localized plaque, misaligned and crowded teeth, food impaction, etc. It is an inflammation that occurs at the edge of the gums and gingival papillae. It can show bleeding, erosion and pain of the gums, accompanied by frequent redness and swelling. 2. Periodontitis: it is destructive disease, related to host reaction and microorganisms, chronic inflammation caused by local factors stimulating periodontal supportive tissues, usually manifested as bleeding gums, swollen and painful gums, halitosis, pain, loose teeth and so on. 3. Wisdom tooth pericoronitis: It is caused by the crown of the wisdom teeth in the process of eruption, part or all of the crown is covered by gingival tissues, the crown and the gingival flap in the middle of the formation of a blind pocket, easy to be invaded by bacteria. Patients often experience symptoms such as swollen gums, pain, and difficulty swallowing. There may be other reasons for old swollen and painful gums, so you should consult your doctor in time to clarify the specific cause and treat accordingly if necessary.