Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily at home is essential to prevent common issues like cavities and gingivitis. However, your hygiene routine also ensures that you spend time every day paying attention to your dental condition so you notice changes that point to underlying issues.
For example, if you notice a bump on your gums, it’s natural to wonder whether you require an emergency dental appointment. Continue reading to learn about 3 potential causes and how they’re addressed!
Culprit #1: Abscess
Did you know that the average adult has anywhere from 50 to 100 billion bacteria from about 200 species in their mouth? While some of these germs support your dental health, others contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. If harmful microbes penetrate your connective tissue, they can form a small fluid-filled sac of pus at the base of your tooth.
Other symptoms include sudden or severe throbbing that doesn’t subside, pain that spread from your jaw to your neck or ear, discomfort that worsens when you lie down, or red or inflamed gums or facial tissues. Your dentist might be able to relieve the ache and restore your tooth with a root canal and dental crown. However, if it’s too damaged to be treated effectively, they might have to extract it.
Culprit #2: Fibroma
This is one of the most common causes of hard, smooth bumps on your connective tissues. These noncancerous lumps can look darker or lighter than the surrounding tissues and may seem intimidating, but they’re typically harmless. They’re more likely to occur if you wear an oral appliance like a mouthguard, retainer, or dentures.
Typically, these painless lumps don’t interfere with your daily life and don’t cause discomfort, so there’s no need to treat them. If yours is overly large or you’re still concerned, you can ask your dentist about surgical removal.
Culprit #3: Oral Cancer
More than 50,000 people are diagnosed with this life-threatening condition every year, and the early signs are notoriously hard to detect. Signs of a problem can include red, white, painful, or bleeding patches or bumps on your tongue, lips, or gums.
This condition is often treatable if it’s caught early enough, but the prognosis shifts drastically for the worse if it’s able to progress. If you notice that you’ve developed an aching lump or open mouth sores, you should call your dentist for a checkup to be safe.
Caring for your teeth and gums consistently and scheduling a checkup with your dentist every six months will ensure that you catch problems before they progress!
Meet the Author
Dr. Estella Guo enjoys getting to know patients so she can tailor treatment plans to meet their unique dental needs. She earned her dental degree from New York University and has provided comprehensive services to people of all ages for 10+ years. She combines a caring and compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance comfortability while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re worried about a bump on your gums, you can request an appointment on the website or call (713) 660-8011.