If you discover a hard, bony lump on your gum or your child’s gums, is it a cause for concern? Knowing the difference between harmless and potentially harmful lumps in the mouth is essential.
Let’s look at some common oral cavity lumps and what to do about them.
Table of Contents
Common Causes of Hard Bony Lumps on the Gum
These are common lumps on the gum causes:
Mandibular and Maxillary Tori
Is a bony lump on the gum serious? It usually isn’t. A hard, bony lump on the gum is often just a bony growth in the mouth known as a torus.
Mandibular tori grow under the tongue, while maxillary tori grow from the maxilla. They’re not signs of poor oral health. Tori in the mouth are typically harmless and usually have a genetic cause.
Infections and Abscesses
A gum abscess, or a tooth abscess lump, is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection after tooth injury or damage.
It appears as a lump on the gums, around or under a tooth. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth.
This is a more serious gum lump. We don’t recommend draining a gum abscess at home. You could damage the gum tissue and spread the infection.
Oral Cysts and Tumors
An oral health lump is sometimes just a benign fluid-filled lesion called an oral cyst. But it can also be a gum tumor, an accumulation of tissue that, although rare, could prove cancerous.
Oral cancer symptoms include patches on the tongue or inner cheek and persistent mouth sores. Consult your doctor if you have these symptoms.
When to See a Dentist for a Hard Bony Lump on the Gum
If you’ve discovered a hard bony lump on your gum, watch for these bump-on-gum symptoms:
- Persistent swelling/pain or a fever
- Lump size/color changes
- Bleeding or pus around the lump
- A foul taste in the mouth
How Dentists Diagnose and Treat Gum Lumps
Concerned about a lump on the gum? Consult a professional dentistry service like Kakar Dental Group for diagnosis and effective gum lump treatment.
The dentist will check for infection and the underlying cause. They’ll examine your mouth, teeth, and gums and take X-rays before removing the gum lump or draining the abscess. Tori in the mouth are removed if they interfere with chewing, swallowing, or oral hygiene.
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy and Lump-Free
Practice good dental hygiene, and schedule regular teeth-cleaning appointments and routine dental checkups. Don’t ignore any unusual symptoms, and teach your children to be vigilant. Oral hygiene education and awareness start during childhood.
Pediatric Dental Care You Can Trust
Good oral health is essential for keeping teeth and gums healthy and free from problematic lumps. Invest in your family’s oral health with our family-friendly dental care. Our multilingual team also offers sedation and emergency services at multiple locations.
Ready to give your child a healthy, happy smile? Schedule a visit with Kakar Dental Group today — your trusted pediatric and orthodontic dental home.
