Do I Need to Visit My Dentist for My Gum Bumps?

You likely run your tongue over your teeth and gums at least a couple of times during the day. This made you intimately familiar with any groove that you have. But what if you felt a bump in the pink soft tissue? You may be a bit worried about it, but it’s not always a dental emergency. Keep reading to learn four possible reasons for it and when you should visit your dentist.

1.)  Canker Sore

These are small, white bumps with raised, red borders. They are often a bit painful and can occur on your tongue, lips, inner cheeks, and gums. However, they are harmless! It takes a couple of weeks, but they’ll heal on their own.

2.)  Oral Fibroma

A common reason for gum bumps is an oral fibroma. They are hard and smooth to the touch, but they are painless. Technically, they are considered a tumor, but they are noncancerous. You might have had them develop on injured or irritated gum tissue. If you have some sort of dental appliance (such as clear aligners or dentures), then you may be at a higher risk of developing one.

Despite being able to go away on their own, you can ask to have them removed. If they are larger, they can cause discomfort, so this may be an option you go for. Oral fibromas can be confused with other types of bumps, so consider having your dentist take a look at them.

3.)  Dental Abscess

If you have an infected tooth, then it may be the culprit. You might have sensitivity, swelling, and severe discomfort with the pimple-like bump you feel. This is a dental emergency, so you need to visit the dentist right away. Oral health issues like these cannot heal on their own, so only treatment can get rid of them.

By prolonging service, it can have some serious consequences. The bacteria can spread to your nearby teeth and gums, but you can also lose the affected tooth. Call your provider right away to preserve your oral health.

4.)  Oral Cancer

This reason for your gum bump may sound the scariest out of all of them. Although it is a rare chance that you have it, it can feel similar to the other options. It can be white or red, along with a bit of discomfort. Not only that, but you may have trouble chewing or swallowing with pain in your jaw or tongue.

If you have a lump that persists for over two weeks, then visit your dentist. They have special tools and can do a screening to ensure you don’t have this. In the end, any concern you have is reason enough to visit them! It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your smile.

About the Practice

At Marble Dental McKinney, you benefit from the expert leadership of Dr. Zack Hegazin and Dr. Muna Koro. We are here for the community when someone is experiencing a dental emergency. By offering same-day appointments and using state-of-the-art technology, you can relax knowing your situation is handled. If you have bumps on your gums you want checked out, schedule an appointment or call our office at (214) 592-0441.