You’ve heard horror stories about people who had a minor symptom that turned out to be a serious problem. Perhaps you’ve become a little paranoid as a result. So naturally, when you feel a little bump in your gums, you start to worry about whether you should be checked out. In this post, you’ll learn about the most common sources of a bump in the gums and what you can do about it.
Potential Causes of a Bump in the Gums
Unfortunately, bumps can result from several different causes, which means you may have to keep a close eye on your symptoms to determine whether the bump could indicate a serious problem.
Cyst
A cyst, or a pocket of air or liquid, can form at the base of a dead or buried tooth. Usually, it doesn’t cause pain or other symptoms, but it can eventually put pressure on your teeth and make your bite weaker.
Abscess
An abscess is basically pus that has collected in the gum tissue as a result of an infection. It can be extremely painful and needs to be treated as quickly as possible. Sometimes, a tooth needs to be extracted or receive root canal therapy.
Canker Sore
Yellow or white spots with a red border, canker sores can be painful, but they are usually not serious. In fact, most of the time, they heal within a couple of weeks. To cope with the discomfort, you may apply an oral analgesic.
Fibroma
Fibromas are small, non-cancerous lumps within the mouth that usually develop as a result of irritation from dentures, other restorations, or oral appliances. Although they usually appear on the cheeks or on the sides of your tongue, they can develop on gum tissue as well. These lumps are also typically painless and may come and go.
Oral Cancer
Cancers in the oral cavity can manifest on the gums through red or white patches, tissue that looks thicker than other spots, and sores that don’t heal after two weeks. Oral cancer is often accompanied by trouble or pain swallowing or chewing.
When to Call Your Dentist or Doctor
With the possibilities ranging from the harmless fibroma to the potentially deadly oral cancer, you may be wondering when you should have your dentist examine a bump. In general, if you have any of these symptoms, call them immediately.
- Pain, especially throbbing pain.
- Fever.
- Red or white patches.
- Sore that doesn’t heal or gets worse.
- Foul taste or foul breath.
If you are concerned about the lump, you may also reach out to your dentist.
By understanding the various causes of a bump in your gums, you can know how to deal with it, get help when appropriate, and put your mind at ease.
About the Author
At Edison Prosthodontics, Dr. Vrajesh Shah offers expert care for those who need tooth repairs or replacement. After earning his dental degree, he completed prosthodontic training at the New York University College of Dentistry, which means he is qualified in implants and other complex prosthodontic treatments. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with him, you can call the office at 732-906-0077 or visit our Contact Us page here.