While you can’t always see what’s in your mouth, chances are you’re pretty familiar with how it normally feels when you move your tongue around. Your cheeks and gums should be mostly smooth and pain free, so if there is a change you’ll likely notice it immediately. But sometimes it can be hard to determine what exactly is causing it. If you’ve noticed a new lump or lesion in your mouth, it’s normal to be concerned. The truth is, these can be caused by a number of different things, some serious, others not. Here are a few common causes of mouth bumps, and when you should see your emergency dentist.
Dental Cyst
A dental cyst is basically a bubble of air, fluid, or other materials that grows along your teeth or on your gums. Most of the time they appear around the roots of dead or buried teeth, and only hurt if they become infected. Sometimes, larger cysts can put pressure on your teeth and cause damage to your jaw over time. Thankfully, cysts can be easily removed if they are causing you trouble, so speak to your dentist if you’re concerned.
Canker Sores
Though small, canker sores can cause a whole lot of pain, especially if you accidentally bite them. Thankfully, aside from getting in the way while you chew, canker sores are completely harmless and will go away on their own after about two weeks. Symptoms of these tiny oral ulcers include:
- White or yellow spots with red borders
- Flat or raised bumps
- Tenderness
- Pain while eating and drinking
Periodontal Abscess
Periodontal abscesses are caused by bacterial infections and appear on the gums in the form of a small, pus-filled bump. Other symptoms include:
- Throbbing pain that worsens with time
- Pain on one side of the mouth that may spread to the neck, jaw, or ear
- Pain that worsens when lying down
- Redness and swelling of the face and gums
If you have a dental abscess, it is imperative that you are seen by a dentist as soon as possible. This type of infection could require a root canal or tooth extraction and will not go away on its own. In fact, the longer you go without treatment, the greater your risk of it spreading to other teeth and requiring multiple root canals or extractions.
Oral Fibroma
Oral fibromas are a very common cause of lumps on the gums. These noncancerous bumps are usually caused by irritation or injury from dentures or other oral devices. They can appear on your cheeks, tongue, lips, or under your dentures, and are usually dome-shaped; however, they can sometimes look like skin tags that are either darker or lighter than the rest of your mouth. They are typically painless but if they are causing irritation your dentist can surgically remove them.
Oral Cancer
Cancerous tumors may appear as a growth, a bump, or a thickening of a specific area of skin in your mouth. They may also cause the following symptoms:
- A sore that will not heal or a bleeding sore
- A red or white patch on the gums
- Pain in the tongue
- Jaw pain
- Loose teeth
- Pain or difficulty chewing or swallowing
- A persistent sore throat
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an urgent appointment with your dentist to be screened for oral cancer. Your dentist can order a biopsy of any abnormal tissue if cancer is suspected.
Remember, an unfamiliar bump in your mouth can be caused by several things and does not necessarily mean that you need to be concerned. If you notice any changes that go beyond the occasional canker sore, speak to your dentist and schedule an appointment to be examined. It could be nothing, but it could also save your life.
About Dr. Gizachew
Dr. Admasu Gizachew (or Dr. G, to his patients!) has a special compassion for dental patients because of the amount of time he spent in dental offices growing up. While he didn’t take a direct route to a dentistry career, today he wouldn’t have it any other way.
In addition to his passion for helping people, Dr. G loves learning more about science and regularly amasses over 300 hours of continuing education each year!
If you notice any abnormal changes in your mouth, don’t wait to get help! Schedule an emergency appointment with Nu Dental Brick by visiting our website or call us today at 732-475-7535.