You may be well-acquainted with the way your mouth feels. You might use your tongue to feel the smoothness of your teeth or get food that is stuck between them. You may even run it across your gums occasionally. One day, you feel a bump on them, and now you may be wondering if you need to visit your emergency dentist.
Some causes of gum bumps can resolve themselves, but others require a trip to your dentist’s office. Read on to learn four reasons why you may have bumps on your gums and why visiting your dentist as soon as possible is your best option.
1.) Oral Fibroma
One of the most common types of gum bumps are oral fibromas. These small growths are hard, smooth, and painless. Those fibromas are technically tumors, but you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they are noncancerous! They typically form on irritated or injured gum tissue, meaning that if you have a dental appliance (such as retainers, braces, or Invisalign), you are more likely to develop one.
While fibromas can go away on their own, they can be removed if they’re uncomfortable. Since they can look like bumps caused by other oral issues, it’s always best to have them checked by your dentist.
2.) Canker Sore
Canker sores can be a little more unpleasant than fibromas. They are small, whitish bumps that typically have red, raised borders. They can also be pretty painful. Canker sores can appear on your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, and even your lips.
Although they may cause discomfort, they are harmless! Canker sores can heal on their own within one to two weeks.
3.) Dental Abscess
If you have a gum bump accompanied by severe discomfort, swelling in your mouth, and tooth sensitivity, it may be a dental abscess. This indicates a serious infection in your tooth that requires urgent dental care. Unlike other types of infections, dental infections cannot go away on their own. You need to visit your dentist to remove them, or else they’ll continue to worsen.
If left untreated, a dental abscess can result in tooth loss, a weakened jawbone, or spread to the rest of your mouth and body. A painful bump on your gums, along with other signs of infection, means you should call your emergency dentist right away.
4.) Oral Cancer
One of the scarier-sounding causes of bumps on the gums is oral cancer. It’s less common than other conditions but can feel similar. They can manifest as painful white or red bumps. Oral cancer is also often paired with trouble chewing or swallowing, as well as discomfort in your jaw or tongue.
If you have an unusual bump in your mouth lasting for two weeks or more, visiting your dentist as soon as possible is important. Catching oral health problems early can make all the difference when it comes to successful treatment.
While most gum bumps are generally harmless and tend to go away on their own, they can also signal something more serious. If you have a gum bump that won’t go away or want to ensure it’s nothing serious, calling your dentist is your best option.
About the Practice
At Frandsen Dental of West Jordan, we have a team of dedicated dentists committed to providing you with the oral care you need. With state-of-the-art equipment, we offer a wide range of services, including emergency dentistry! We provide same-day appointments to ensure you receive the urgent dental care you need when emergencies strike. If you have bumps on your gum, schedule an appointment or call us at (801) 890-0030.