At some point in your life, you probably experienced having painful gums. There are various reasons why the gum is inflamed or irritated. It could be of a mild cause or could also be of a serious cause. A bump on gums could be due to the following reasons:
Medical Treatment – Bump on Gums9 Bump on Gums Examples:
#1 – Abscess/periodontal abscess
It is a collection of pus in the gums which is typically caused by bacteria. The patient usually complains of a soft, warm, and painful bump on the gums. Clinical manifestations are as follows:
- Sudden pain on the gums that is throbbing in nature
- Pain on the gums that radiates to the side, ear, jaw, and neck
- The gums appear severely red and swollen
- The pain on the gum gets worse when lying down. (1, 2, and 3)
Treatment – If you notice the above-mentioned symptoms, you should immediately visit your dentist. The usual dental approach is to prick and drain the pus. If the infection is severe, the dentist might perform a root canal or totally remove the infected tooth. (2, 3)
#2 – Cyst
Did you notice a small bubble filled with liquid, air, or soft materials on your gums? That could be a cyst. A dental cyst appear unnoticed and the only time you will notice it is when it becomes infected and painful. Swelling becomes prominent which causes severe pain. A gum cyst is usually formed around the roots of a dead or buried tooth. A gum cyst should not be taken for granted, especially if it is large as it could put pressure on the teeth causing weakness of the jaw.
Treatment – The best way to treat gum cyst is to visit your dentist. The dentist will perform a surgical procedure to remove the cyst along with the treatment of the underlying cause such as treating dead root tissues. That way, there is a slim chance for the gum cyst to recur. (3, 4, and 5)
#3 – Canker sore
They are small mouth ulcers found at the base of the gums. They are totally harmless but can be extremely painful, especially when inside the mouth. Typical symptoms of canker sores include:
- Unusual spots typically whitish to yellowish in color with a red border
- Severe tenderness
- Pain when chewing or drinking
- Bumps on gums are slightly raised
Treatment – Canker sores usually heal on their own in a matter of week or two. To somehow ease the pain and inflammation, you can apply an over the counter pain reliever. (1, 5, and 6)
#4 – Oral Fibroma
It is a tumor-like bump on gums. It is non-cancerous in nature and is formed on the irritated or injured gum tissue. It is usually caused by irritation from dentures, braces, and other oral devices. Symptoms include the following:
- Painless bump
- Hard, smooth, and dome-shaped lump
- Looks like a dangling skin tag which look darker or lighter than the rest of the gums
Treatment – Oral fibroma does not need treatments. If it becomes too large, then you can have it removed by your doctor. (5, 6)
#5 – Oral pyogenic granuloma
It is a red bump that grows inside the mouth and the surrounding structures such as the gums. It is a blood-filled lump which is susceptible to bleeding. The exact cause is still unknown but could be linked to soft tissue irritation, minor injuries, and hormonal imbalance such as in the case of pregnant women. Symptoms include the following:
- Soft and painless bump
- The color of the bump is deep red/purple
Treatment – The bump on the gums have to be surgically removed. (6, 7, and 8)
image source – wikipedia#6 – Mandibular Torus/Mandibular Tori
It is a bony growth usually appears in the lower and upper jaw, side of the tongue, and below or above the teeth. It appears alone or in clusters. The exact cause is unknown. It is smooth and hard to touch and usually does not need treatment.
#7 – Oral cancer/Mouth cancer
It pertains to the cancer of the oral cavity including the gums. Symptoms include but not limited to the following:
- A small lump which looks like a thick skin
- A white/red patch on the gum
- A sore that does not seem to heal
- Painful tongue, jaw, and tooth
- A bleeding sore
- Frequent sore throat
- Pain when swallowing or chewing
Treatment – if you have a lump or bump on gums and are wondering if it is cancerous, the best thing to do is to visit your doctor. What the doctor will do is to perform a gum biopsy. A small tissue sample is collected from the bump and will be checked for cancer cells. If it is indeed cancer, the doctor will immediately come up with a treatment plan which includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical approach when deemed necessary. (4, 7, 8, and 9)
#8 – Irritation
A bump or lump on the gum can be a result of simple irritation such as in people who have the habit of moving the teeth against the gum or an oral device that tends to press against one spot. Such a simple irritation causes the immune system to form a lump as a way of protecting that particular area. (1, 4)
#9 – Tooth Extraction
A lump or bump on the gums may appear after a tooth is extracted. It could be caused by irritation or a blood clot as a result of the healing process. Such type of bump or lump does not need any treatment as it goes away after a few days.
Home Remedies and Medical Treatment
- Salt water rinse – Salt needs to be diluted in lukewarm water. Gargle for a few minutes for instant pain relief. Not to mention, saline water has some sort of antibacterial property.
- Clove oil – Apply clove oil on the bumpy part of the gums to bring in some relief. Clove has natural antibacterial properties too.
- Garlic – It is one of the must-have components in the kitchen. Raw garlic can be directly applied to the gums to help get rid of bacteria. Garlic has a natural antibacterial property.
- Oil pulling – A tablespoon of oil such as coconut oil is swish around the mouth for a few minutes. It is believed that oil pulling can help get rid of the bacteria-causing infection. Once you spit the oil, you also spit out the bacteria.
- Antibiotics – For severely painful lump on the gums secondary to bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. It targets the root cause of infection and at the same time reduces swelling and inflammation.
- Surgical procedure – For severe cases, the doctor might opt to perform a surgical procedure which includes but not limited to a root canal, tooth extraction, and periodontal surgery. (5, 7, 9, and 10)
How to prevent bump on gums?
- Maintain good oral hygiene – make it a habit to keep your teeth clean by brushing regularly. Do not forget to floss your teeth every day. If possible, use mouthwash with appropriate alcohol content to keep your mouth looking and feeling clean. Various forms of dental/oral problems can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene.
- Visit your dentist regularly – Professional cleaning at least once or twice a month can help avoid problems and detect them at an early stage.
- Quit smoking – Smokers are prone to having gum diseases including bumps/lumps on the gums and the soft tissues in the mouth. Not to mention, smoking tobacco can lead to serious tooth problems and even the possibility of oral cancer. (2, 4, and 9)
When should you consult your doctor?
A bump or lump on the gum is usually nothing serious and goes away on its own. However, if the symptoms get severe and the pain is too much to bear, the best thing to do is to consult your doctor. You should immediately visit your dentist if you notice pain, unusual discharge, and bad odor from the mouth; such foul smell does not seem to go away even after tooth brushing or gargling with mouthwash. Fever is also another symptom you should not take for granted. For mild cases, you can just let nature take its course. For moderate cases, you can try home remedies and over the counter treatments. If it is still unresponsive to such treatment, then it is high time to consult your doctor. (4, 6, and 10)