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You’re getting ready for work one morning, and as you’re brushing your teeth you come across a bump on your gums. You immediately pause as a knot begins to form in your stomach—what is this thing and why has it suddenly appeared? Sometimes these bumps are harmless; other times, they’re cause for concern. Here are some of the possible reasons for bumps on your gums and some signs for when you should see your dentist.
Common Culprits
A bump on your gums isn’t usually a dental emergency; here are seven potential causes:
- Cyst – A cyst is a small bubble filled with air, liquid, or other soft materials. They grow slowly and rarely cause symptoms unless they become infected. Sometimes they can cause pain, swelling, and pressure on your teeth. Dental cysts are easily removed with a small surgical procedure.
- Abscess – An abscess is caused by bacterial infection and is often painful. These soft bumps are filled with pus, and you’ll want a dentist to remove the source of infection and drain it promptly.
- Canker sore – Cankers are small mouth ulcers that are harmless but painful, and they typically heal on their own within a week or two.
- Fibroma – Fibromas are noncancerous lumps that form on irritated or injured gum tissue. They are painless and usually feel like hard, smooth, dome-shaped lumps or look like dangling skin tags. They typically don’t require treatment.
- Pyogenic granuloma – These red bumps appear swollen and blood-filled; while doctors aren’t sure what causes them, they’re usually painless and removed via surgery.
- Mandibular torus – This is a common bony growth in the upper or lower jaw, but doctors haven’t pinpointed the exact cause. They can appear alone or in clusters and take on a variety of shapes, but rarely require treatment.
- Oral cancer – A cancerous tumor might look like a small growth or lump with symptoms including soreness of the tongue, jaw, and throat, white/red patches on the gums, loose teeth, and trouble/pain while chewing or swallowing. Your dentist can perform a gum biopsy to determine if the bump is cancerous.
When Should I See My Dentist?
Even though bumps on your gums are usually nothing too serious, you should still contact your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Throbbing pain
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Sores that don’t heal/progressively worsen
- Bleeding sores or lumps
- Red or white patches inside your mouth or on your lips
As with any oral health concern, prolonging your trip to the dentist’s office will only increase the likelihood of a serious problem developing. In many cases, a bump on your gums isn’t anything you need to panic over if you monitor it and see your dentist when needed.
About the Practice
Chambers Family Dentistry has proudly served patients and families in the Annapolis area for nearly 20 years. The practice offers a wide range of services including general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry, among many others. They are helmed by Dr. Earl Chambers, who received his DDS from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and is a member of many professional organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If you have any questions for Dr. Chambers or would like to schedule an appointment, please reach out through his website or by phone: (410) 224-2660.