Gum discomfort or irritation is a common problem.
The cause of gum discomfort and irritability is frequently a buildup of plaque and other microorganisms.
Additionally, this buildup might result in gum bleeding and redness.
But what if you have a gum bump?
While discovering a new growth on your body can be unsettling, a bump on your gums is typically not a cause for concern.
We’ll go over seven of the most typical causes and show you when a bump on your gums can indicate a more serious condition.
Read on to discover more.
A Cyst
A cyst is a tiny bubble that contains liquid, air, or other soft substances. On the gums surrounding your teeth, dental cysts can develop. The roots of missing or decayed teeth are where most dental cysts develop.
Unless they get infected, they rarely produce symptoms and expand slowly over time. When this occurs, the area around the bump may experience some pain and swelling.
A cyst may eventually weaken your jaw if it is large enough to put a strain on your teeth. A simple surgical treatment can easily remove the majority of tooth cysts. Your doctor can also treat any dead root tissue during the operation to stop the cyst from coming back.
An Abscess
Periodontal abscesses are abscesses that develop on the gums. These tiny pus-filled sacs are the result of bacterial infections. An abscess may have a soft, warm bump-like sensation. Dental abscesses can be excruciatingly painful.
These signs include:
- abrupt onset of throbbing pain that worsens
- pain in one ear, the jaw, and the neck on one side
- discomfort that worsens when you lie down
- facial or gum edoema and redness
You should visit a dentist right away if you suspect you have a periodontal abscess. They are able to drain the pus and eliminate the infection’s origin. They might have to extract a tooth or conduct a root canal depending on how bad the infection is.
A keratosis
Smallmouth ulcers known as “canker sores” can develop at the gum line. They differ from cold sores, which are brought on by a virus. Even though canker sores aren’t harmful, they can still be uncomfortable, especially if they’re inside the mouth.
Canker sore signs and symptoms include:
- Red-bordered dots that are white or yellow.
- pimples that are flat or hardly raised
- Profound tenderness
- discomfort when eating and drinking
Canker sores typically disappear on their own in one to two weeks. Applying an over-the-counter painkiller, such as this one, will help with the discomfort in the interim.
A Fibroma
The most frequent reason for tumor-like bumps on the gums is an oral fibroma. Noncancerous tumors called fibromas to develop on the inflamed or damaged gum tissue. They typically occur on your gums as a result of discomfort from dentures or other oral appliances.
They may also show up in:
- between your cheeks.
- with dentures
- on your tongue’s sides
- on your lips’ inside
Fibromas don’t hurt. They typically feel like lumpy, smooth, hard objects with a dome shape. Sometimes they resemble dangling skin tags more. Your gums may appear lighter or darker than the rest of them.
Fibromas typically don’t need to be treated. Your doctor, however, may do a surgical removal if it is really large.
A Pyogenic Granuloma
A red bump that appears in your mouth, including your gums, is called an oral pyogenic granuloma. It often presents as an easily bleedable, large mass filled with blood. Although doctors are unsure of the exact origin, it is believed that irritation and minor injuries may contribute. They can also appear in some pregnant women, indicating that hormone fluctuations may also be a contributing factor.
Typically, pyrogenic granulomas are
- soft
- painless
- rich purple or crimson
The lump is typically surgically removed as part of treatment.
A Mandibular torus
A bony growth in the upper or lower jaw is referred to as a mandibular torus (plural: tori). Despite being rather frequent, experts are unsure of what produces these bony masses.
Mandibular tori can show either singly or in groups. They can be on either one or both jaw sides.
They frequently show up on:
- the interior of your jaw
- the areas on either side of your tongue
- next to or over your teeth
Mandibular tori are slow-growing and can assume many forms. They typically feel smooth and firm to the touch and infrequently need to be treated.
An Oral cancer
Any area of your oral cavity, including your gums, can develop cancer, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “mouth cancer” or “oral cancer.” On your gums, a malignant tumor may appear as a tiny growth, lump, or thickening of the skin.
Additional indications of oral cancer include:
- a wound that is not healing
- a red or white spot on your gums
- a wound that bleeds
- Tongue ache
- Jaw ache
- Missing teeth
- discomfort when swallowing or chewing
- difficulty swallowing or chewing
- a sore throat
It’s advisable to follow up with your doctor if you’re concerned that a bump might be malignant in order to soothe your concerns and, if necessary, begin treatment as soon as feasible.
A gum biopsy can be done by your doctor. Your doctor will do this technique to check for cancer cells in a small tissue sample from the lump. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment strategy if the bump is malignant. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of all three may be used as treatments.
When should I go to visit the doctor?
The majority of the time, a bump on your gums is nothing significant. However, if you also have any of the following symptoms in addition to a bump, you should see your doctor right away:
- fever
- A burning discomfort
- A bad breath odor or a bad taste in your mouth
- a wound that never heals
- a pain that is escalating
- a bump that persists for a few weeks
- Red or white blotches on your lips or inside of your mouth
- a bump or sore with bleeding