Like many people, you may not know what to make of a bump on your gums. This kind of blemish can seem awfully ambiguous at first glance. All that said, you’d do well to learn its cause; a “gum bump” can sometimes point to serious health issues. Your New Smyrna Beach practice will even help you get started! So, please keep reading to learn why you have a bump on your gums and whether it needs a dentist’s care.
Common Causes of Bumps on Gums
Bumps on gums have a wide range of potential causes. However, the most common ones are the following:
An Abscess
Sometimes, a gum bump indicates a periodontal abscess – a bacterial infection in your gums. The latter condition takes the form of a soft, warm lump, and it has symptoms like:
- Pain on one side that spreads to the ear, jaw, and neck
- Aches that get worse when you lie down
- Throbbing pain that emerges suddenly and gets worse
An Oral Cyst
Your bump could be an oral cyst, a fluid-filled growth that forms on the gums around your teeth. This little “bubble” often emerges around the roots of dead or buried teeth, though it rarely shows notable signs. It only tends to cause issues when infected; the cyst can then cause pain, swelling, and so on. Should the cyst get large enough, it may put pressure on your teeth.
Canker Sore
It wouldn’t be odd for a gum bump to be a canker sore. After all, the latter is a small (and sometimes painful) mouth ulcer that can form at the base of your gums. You’re likely dealing with a canker sore if your bump features white or yellow spots, severe tenderness, etc.
Fibroma
If your bump seems tumor-like, there’s a good chance you have an oral fibroma. That means you’re dealing with a non-cancerous lump that forms on injured or irritated gum tissue. As for how such injury or irritation occurs, it can result from dentures or other oral devices.
Notably, fibromas are painless; they don’t even need treatment. Doctors only need to remove them surgically in some cases.
Does Your Gum Bump Need Professional Help?
You should quickly see a dentist if your gum bump shows or manifests:
- An unhealing, worsening oral sore
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- Throbbing pain
- Foul-tasting or foul-smelling breath
- A bleeding lump
You mustn’t panic over the bump on your gums. Instead, assess its cause and get dental care as needed!
About the Practice
Seaside Dental of New Smyrna Beach is based in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Led by Drs. Tyler Flynn and Thinh Tran, our practice offers warm, effective, and trustworthy dentistry. We always tailor our care to your smile’s needs, whether you’re getting a dental checkup or some dental implants. The result is that you end each appointment with a thriving grin! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (386)-428-1270.