
Each of the following conditions may cause bumps to develop on the gums:
Source linkCanker sores
More than 50% of people in the United States develop canker sores. These are small, round, painful bumps that may develop in the following areas:- gums
- tongue
- soft palate
- inner cheeks
- lips
Oral thrush
Oral thrush, or candidiasis, is a yeast infection that affects the mouth. It occurs due to an overgrowth of a type of yeast called Candida. People with oral thrush may notice white bumps or patches on the gums, inner cheeks, tongue, or roof of the mouth. Other symptoms of oral thrush include:- mouth redness or soreness
- a cotton-like feeling in the mouth
- redness and cracking at the corners of the mouth
- loss of taste
- pain when eating or swallowing
- poor oral health
- taking certain medications, such as antibiotics and inhaled corticosteroids
- a weakened immune system
Dental cyst
A dental cyst is a fluid filled sac of tissue in the gum that can develop when the soft tissues or pulp within a tooth die. Cysts usually form around the roots of dead teeth or in areas where teeth have not developed properly. Dental cysts and dental abscesses are not the same thing. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that develops near the root of a tooth due to bacterial infection. Symptoms of a dental cyst include:- swelling of the gum around the tooth
- a feeling of pressure around the tooth
- intense pain in the tooth and surrounding tissues
- signs of decay in nearby teeth
- Endodontic therapy: This involves the dentist cleaning out the infected tooth pulp using a file-like instrument.
- Surgery: This involves opening up the area around the gums to gain access to the cyst. Surgery may be necessary if the cyst is deep inside the jaw.
- Tooth extraction: The dentist may need to remove the tooth and clean out the socket. If they do, they will then pack the space with an artificial bone compound to prevent the cyst from coming back.
Periodontal abscess
A periodontal abscess is an accumulation of pus within the gums surrounding a tooth. They are an immune system response to infection. A periodontal abscess may appear as a red bump that pushes through the inflamed gum tissue. People with an abscess may also experience a throbbing pain in nearby teeth. This type of abscess is often the result of severe gum disease, or periodontitis. In periodontitis, the gums become inflamed and pull away from the tooth. This results in the formation of deep pockets between the tooth and gum, which accumulate bacteria. Diagnosis and treatment A dentist will take a dental X-ray to determine the location and extent of the abscess. Treatment involves removing the source of the infection and draining the pus. This may include:- Incision and drainage: This involves cutting the gum to drain the abscess.
- Root canal treatment: This involves drilling into the tooth to gain access to the roots. The dentist will then remove the abscess, fill the root canal, and seal the tooth with a filling or crown.
- Tooth extraction: This may be necessary if root canal treatment is not possible.
Mandibular torus
A mandibular torus is a harmless bony growth inside the mouth. It may occur in following areas:- the floor of the mouth
- the roof of the mouth
- the outer gum of the upper molars
Oral fibroma
An oral fibroma is a noncancerous growth that develops inside the mouth. The bumps it causes can be a millimeter to several centimeters in size, and they tend to be white or pink. They rarely cause symptoms aside from a bump. Oral fibromas usually grow in response to injury or irritation. They can develop in any of the following places:- gums
- tongue
- inner cheeks
- inner lips
- floor of the mouth
Oral cancer
Oral cancer is a cancerous growth or irritation that develops in any part of the mouth or the upper part of the throat. Oral cancers can differ in texture and appearance. They may look like:- lumps or bumps
- thickened areas
- rough spots or crusts
- persistent sores or irritations
- red or white patches
- small, eroded areas
- a sore throat, or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat
- numbness
- hoarseness or changes to the voice