Finding a bump on your gums can be alarming, but is it something that you need to be worried about? The answer depends on the situation; some bumps are harmless, but others can be a symptom of a serious dental emergency. To make sure that you’re prepared to take the appropriate steps to protect your smile, here is a brief overview of 4 possible explanations for a bump on your gums.
1. Fibroma
If a denture, a retainer, or another type of oral appliance is irritating your gums, it could lead to the formation of a benign growth known as a fibroma. This is one of the most common reasons for a bump to appear on the gums, and it’s typically not a cause for concern. If you wait long enough, a fibroma will eventually go away on its own.
There’s usually no need to have a fibroma treated, but it’s a good idea to at least have it examined by a dental expert to make absolutely sure that it’s not a more dangerous type of bump.
2. Cyst
A cyst is a small pocket of tissue that is often filled with pus or fluid. It is common for one to appear on the gums, especially around dead or impacted teeth. Not only can a cyst cause significant discomfort, but if it continues to grow, it can damage the jawbone and nearby teeth. Your dentist can take a closer look at a cyst on your gums to see if it needs to be surgically removed before it can lead to further harm.
3. Abscess
When an infection in the tooth goes untreated for too long, it can result in a pocket of pus called an abscess. There’s a good chance that the bump on your gums is an abscess if it’s accompanied by throbbing pain or redness and swelling of the gum tissue. To ensure that the infection doesn’t spread any further, you should have a dentist examine and treat the abscessed tooth as soon as possible. This may involve performing a root canal treatment to get rid of the source of the infection and save the tooth.
4. Oral Cancer
Sometimes a bump on the gums can be an early warning sign of oral cancer. Needless to say, you will want to have this particular issue identified and treated as quickly as you can in order to give yourself the best chance of surviving over the next few years. A biopsy can be performed to determine whether the bump on your gums is cancerous. If it is, the type of treatment recommended will depend on how advanced the issue currently is.
If there’s a bump on your gums and you’re not sure what it means, the best thing you can do is call your dentist. They can help you identify the true cause of the problem and point you toward whatever treatments might be necessary to protect your oral and overall health.
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Salvaggio has more than 20 years of dental experience. He went to the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, and he has completed a one-year residency program at Sunnybrook Hospital. He has the training and experience to help his patients find relief from a wide range of dental emergencies. If you have a bump on your gums that you’re worried might be a symptom of an urgent dental issue, you can request an emergency appointment with Dr. Salvaggio at Salvaggio Dentistry in Brampton by calling (289) 569-0721.