A lump on your gum can be a cause for concern, especially if it’s painful. Any time you notice changes in your soft tissues or experience pain in your mouth, it’s a good idea to see your dentist. However, a lump on your gum itself is usually not a sign of a serious problem and doesn’t require immediate medical attention.
Why a lump on your gum
Let’s take a look at the most common causes of a lump on your gum.
Cyst. A cyst is a small sac filled with air, fluid, or other soft tissue. Dental cysts can form on your gums around your teeth. Most dental cysts form around diseased roots, misaligned teeth, or decayed teeth. Cysts grow slowly over time and rarely cause symptoms unless they become infected. When this happens, you may notice pain and swelling around the lump. If the cyst is large enough, it can put pressure on your teeth and eventually lead to jaw weakness. Most cysts resolve on their own, but some need to be surgically removed.
Abscess. An abscess in the gums is called a periodontal abscess. These collections of pus are caused by bacterial infections. Dental abscesses are often very painful. There are different types of abscesses, including a periodontal abscess, which is usually caused by periodontitis (advanced gum disease), and a periapical abscess, which is an infection at the tip of the root of a tooth due to decay or trauma. It usually appears as a lump on the gum above or below the affected tooth.
If you have an abscess, it will often be accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- swollen gums;
- bad breath;
- sensitivity to hot and cold;
- fever;
- facial swelling;
- constant pain that may spread to the ear, jaw, and neck.
If you have an abscess, you should see a dentist as soon as possible, who can remove the source of the infection and drain the pus. Depending on how severe the infection is, root canal treatment or tooth extraction may be necessary, and antibiotics are sometimes prescribed. Although an abscess may drain on its own, providing temporary relief, the infection will still be present and can spread to the jaw and supporting tissues. In rare cases, a tooth infection can spread to the brain and cause serious complications.
Canker sores. Canker sores are small sores in the mouth that can form at the base of the gums. They are different from cold sores, which are caused by a virus. Although canker sores are harmless, they can be painful, especially in the mouth. Most canker sores heal on their own within a week or two. You can use an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve the pain.
Canker sores usually appear as a flat, yellow or white bump or blister on the gum, surrounded by a red border. The sores can appear in groups, making it difficult to speak or eat.
Fibroma. Oral fibroma is one of the most common causes of tumor-like bumps on the gums. Fibromas are noncancerous lumps that form on irritated or damaged gum tissue. They usually appear on the gums as a result of irritation from dentures or other devices. They are sometimes caused by the habit of biting the inside of the cheek. Fibromas are painless, but if they grow large, they can easily become irritated, causing discomfort. In such cases, surgical removal may be recommended.
Pyogenic granuloma. An oral pyogenic granuloma is a red lump that develops in the mouth, particularly on the gums. It is usually a swollen, blood-filled lump that bleeds easily. It is not known exactly why they occur, but minor trauma and irritation play a role. They can sometimes occur in women during pregnancy, as hormonal changes can also be a risk factor. Pyogenic granulomas are usually soft and painless, and are dark red or purple in color. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the lump.
Mandibular torus. A mandibular torus is a bony growth in the lower jaw. Mandibular toruses can occur singly or in groups, grow slowly, and can take on a variety of shapes. They are usually hard and smooth to the touch and rarely require treatment. The toruses usually do not interfere with function or cause pain. Rarely, the toruses continue to grow and become irritated, and they can interfere with the fitting of dentures. In these cases, they may need to be removed. The exact causes of their occurrence are unknown, but some experts believe that bruxism, genetic factors, diet, and excessive stress on the jaw due to a malocclusion may be the cause.
Oral cancer. Oral cancer can develop anywhere in the mouth, including the gums. A cancerous tumor on the gums may look like a small growth, lump, or thickening of the skin. Other symptoms of oral cancer include:
- a sore that doesn’t heal;
- a white or red patch on the gums;
- pain when chewing or swallowing;
- loose teeth;
- thickening of the skin;
- sore throat.
If you’re concerned that a lump on your gums may be cancer, it’s best to see your doctor, who can perform a gum biopsy. This procedure takes a small sample of tissue from the lump and tests it for cancer cells. If cancer is diagnosed, treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of all three. When oral cancer is caught early, patients have a high survival rate.
When to see a doctor
Most often, a lump on your gum is not serious. However, you should see a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms in addition to the lump:
- fever;
- throbbing pain;
- a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath;
- a wound that does not heal;
- a lump that does not go away after a few weeks;
- red or white spots inside your mouth or on your lips.
Schedule a visit with your dentist at YAREMA DENTAL if your lump on your gum is bothering you. We can determine the cause of the lump and create a personalized treatment plan to help you.
Can you get rid of a lump on your gum at home
There is usually nothing you can do to get rid of a lump on your gum at home. You should see a dentist if the lump does not go away after a few weeks or if you have other dangerous symptoms.
While you wait to see your dentist, you can help relieve the pain by:
- gargling with salt water (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water);
- avoiding irritating the bump when brushing;
- taking an over-the-counter pain reliever;
- eating a bland diet.
Prevention
To help prevent painful gum bumps in the future:
- practice good oral hygiene;
- stop habits that irritate your mouth, such as biting your cheeks or grinding your teeth;
- eat a healthy, balanced diet;
- avoid alcohol and tobacco;
- get regular checkups with your dentist.