Discovering a lump never feels good. If you find one, you might run to Google in a state of panic to find out if it’s serious. That may have been the very thing that led you to this article. If that’s the case, here’s some good news: most bumps on your gums aren’t signs of anything serious. To put you at ease, here’s a list of some of the most common types of growths, and whether they should make you concerned.
Oral Fibroma
These are the most common lumps you might find in your mouth. They’re usually hard, smooth, and painless, and may be a different color than the rest of your gums. These often sprout due to irritation from dentures or another dental device. Thankfully, they tend to go away on their own.
Cyst
These can be found around dead teeth and feel like bubbles filled with a soft substance. They’re slow-growing and usually painless unless they become infected. While harmless, your dentist might want to treat the dead tissue around the cyst to prevent it from growing.
Pyogenic Granuloma
These lumps look and feel like blood blisters. It’s unclear what causes them, but some women develop them after pregnancy, so it’s thought hormones might play a role. They are not, however, symptoms of any particular disease. Treatment entails surgical removal of the bump.
Canker Sore
These small ulcers usually sprout at the base of the gums and will heal after a week or two. They can be painful, so applying a pain-relief cream to them in the meantime might be a good idea.
Mandibular Torus
These are relatively common bone growths that sprout from either the upper or lower jaw. They’re hard and smooth, appearing in a variety of shapes, and are normally harmless.
Abscess
Abscesses are small, pus-filled bumps caused by a bacterial infection. They’re often very painful and require a dentist’s intervention to treat properly. Depending on the severity of the infection, your dentist may need to perform an additional treatment, which could include removing the infected tooth.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a complicated illness that presents in many ways throughout the mouth. The tumor itself looks like a small bump or growth and may be accompanied by:
- An enduring sore, or one that bleeds
- A white or red splotch on the gums
- Pain in the tongue or jaw
- Sore throat or discomfort while chewing or swallowing
If you’re worried about oral cancer, make an appointment with your dentist. They’ll be able to perform a biopsy on the lump to determine if it’s benign.
If you clicked on this blog post because you found a bump, hopefully something you read put you at ease. But remember: it never hurts to be proactive. Talk to your dentist and they’ll be able to diagnose whatever issue you’re having and provide you with a personalized treatment plan.
About Our Practice
At Lake Nona Dental Group, we combine the cozy feeling of a small family office with the top-quality care of a high-tech medical facility. We have a team of expert dentists that can provide you with any treatment you may need, from simple checkups to dental surgery. If you have any questions about an oral growth, we can be reached at our website. You can also reach us by phone at our Orlando location at (407) 277-1779 and at our St. Cloud location at (407) 887-1778.
