Imagine waking up from sweet and sound sleep, ready to take on the challenges life throws at you. But the moment you go to brush your teeth, you find a weird bump sitting on your gums. The first thing you’d probably do is panic, which is a given.
Next, though, you’d try to figure out what it is. Whether by poking it or racing to search for it on the internet, finding out what the tiny lump means is important. But don’t worry! We’ll help you figure out what exactly the bump on your gums means.
Why is There a Bump on My Gums?
Before you rush to a conclusion, make sure you inspect the bump carefully. You can do this by noticing if the lump is hard or soft, painful or painless. This way, once you get the basics down, you can see which of the following causes it most relates to:
Cyst
Typically filled with air or liquid, a dental cyst results from a tooth that has decayed or is in the process of dying. It doesn’t hurt at the start when it first pops up on the gum line. But if left untreated, the cyst can worsen and lead to tooth sensitivity, as well as jaw pain.
Periodontal Abscess
There are quite a few types of dental abscesses. However, when a pus-filled sac develops on the base of your gums, it’s known as a periodontal abscess. This happens due to bacteria buildup as your body tries to fight it. An abscess may be painful and cause redness or swelling too.
Canker Sore
Canker sores are regarded as mouth ulcers and are the most common type of painless bumps on your gums. Their size tends to vary, but usually, they’re small. Not to mention, canker sores have a white center and a glaring red ring surrounding them, with thin lesions running across the surface of your gums.
Oral Fibroma
If you have braces, Invisalign, or any other oral device, then the bumps you find on your gums are bound to be because of oral fibroma. They’re non-cancerous in nature and only arise due to irritation or injury. Plus, if left alone, these little nodules vanish on their own.
Pyogenic Granuloma
Filled with blood, granuloma bumps are mostly benign. They pop up as a result of a minor injury and are nothing more than a small, swollen patch of gum tissues. So, even though they bleed at times, there’s nothing to worry about. Your dentist will likely take care of it.
Mandibular Torus
Rare and with little scientific research to back it up, a mandibular torus is a tiny yet hard bony lump that grows on your gums. It commonly develops on your jaw’s upper or lower side and can be removed via minor oral surgery.
Oral Cancer
It’s only in rare cases that a small bump on the gums can lead to oral cancer. However, if you experience jaw pain, loose teeth, and continuous pain in the tongue, it might be better to visit a dental professional immediately.
How Do You Get Rid of a Gum Bump?
For most bumps, pain relief medication works best. Sometimes, even leaving it as it is can help the irregularity to solve on its own. Nonetheless, if the bump starts to harden or doesn’t disappear after a week, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. According to the size and severity of the lump, your dentist will take the necessary measures to remove the lump without any pain whatsoever.
What’s The Takeaway?
To wrap it all up, a bump on your gums can either be a minor canker sore or an extreme condition like oral cancer. Nonetheless, visit Brookshire Smile Dental – Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for treatment and evaluation. We’re located in Brookshire at Front Street, Suite 107, beside Daily Home Care Services and Pizza Hut. You can even schedule an appointment by calling us at (281) 934-1010.