Hi. I have always practiced great oral hygiene and have never had any problems. Two days ago, my gums started becoming inflamed and very painfaul, with a small white sore on the inside of my upper lip. I've been gargling with a salt water solution since. Yesterday it spread throughout the majority of the inner and outer of my upper and lower gums. This morning what appears to be a gland on the left side of my throat below my jaw line is very tender and inflamed. I don't have a fever (98.1), in fact it's a little low as I think my thyroid has been acting up again and am going for blood work next week. Could this be related to my hypothyroid (it seems like it causes everything else in the world for people!)? Or something else. It keeps getting worse and it is just so painful that it actually hurts to talk. Please help!