Why Do I Have a Bump on My Gum? What You Need to Know

Why Do I Have a Bump on My Gum? What You Need to Know

Picture the scene. You’re brushing your teeth, you do a big final ‘cheeese’ to make sure you’ve not missed a spot, and there it is…a lump on your gum you’ve not seen before. You instinctively run your tongue along it, and it feels new. The question is, should you worry?

Well, to begin with, this type of thing is not at all uncommon. 9 out of 10 people are typically found to have some kind of gum issue when examined in the dentist’s chair. There’s a fair chance you’ve had one yourself at some point.

In this guide, we take a closer look at why gum lumps happen, and whether they’re something you need to go and see a dentist in Manchester about.

Should You Be Worried About a Bump on Your Gum?

In our experience, the first thing most people want to know when we spot something unusual on their gums during a dental check-up is whether or not it’s serious. The honest answer is that it depends. Some bumps appear overnight, while others develop so slowly that you only notice them by accident.

There’s no rule about how lumps on the gum behave, either. They can feel soft or firm, change size and shape daily or stay the same the whole way through. It can be quite tough to tell, as there are a number of possible causes.

Finding a bump on your gum is not a reason to panic, but it is worth having it checked out, in the same way you would if you noticed your gums kept bleeding when you brushed. The point is, it’s best to get it seen.

Signs That a Gum Bump May Need Closer Attention

One of the things that makes it tricky to know whether a gum bump is something you need to worry about is separating the normal from the abnormal. The thing is, if you go hunting on Google for answers, what you get is so broad that it ranges from completely harmless to quite concerning.

However, rather than worrying yourself needlessly, it’s wiser just to keep an eye on the bump to see how it’s behaving – so that you have something to tell your dentist. Its shape and how it feels can tell you a lot.

Let’s put that into some kind of context with some scenarios:

• You’ve had a gum bump for several weeks, and it’s not getting any better. It’s not changing shape or size. It’s just there, painless.

What to do: Most bumps on the gum are harmless, but if it’s not going away, it could point toward something that needs treatment. If you’ve got a hygienist appointment or check-up approaching, you should mention it.

• You’ve had a lump on your gum for a week, and it seems to be growing. You noticed it at first with your tongue, and it’s noticeably larger.

What to do: You need to go and see your dentist as soon as you can to get it checked out, as it could be a cyst or an abscess. If you also have facial swelling, or you are also feeling unwell, it’s probably best to book an emergency appointment.

• You’ve had a lump on your gum that keeps appearing and disappearing in the same place each time, every few weeks.

What to do: A recurring problem like this usually means there’s an underlying problem. It could be an infection or a need for root canal treatment, so again, you should book an appointment as soon as you can.

A bump on the gum is only one part of the story, and you’re only going to know what’s going on if you get things looked at. If you need any motivation for clarity, you might want to read our article on what happens if you leave an abscess.

Worried About a Bump on Your Gum?

A new lump or raised area on your gum can be worrying once you’ve spotted it. Even if it’s small, painless, or only appeared recently, getting it looked at means you can stop second-guessing yourself and actually find out what’s going on. Don’t panic if you get one, but don’t ignore it either.

At Ringway Dental, our team sees patients regularly with unexpected changes in their mouth, from gum concerns to unusual swelling. We’ll take a proper look at the area and talk you through your options clearly.

Get in touch with us today or book a free online consultation to speak to our team about your concerns.

FAQs

Q – Can a bump on my gum appear overnight?

A – It can seem that way, yes. A lot of people first notice something when they’re brushing their teeth or catching their reflection. It might have been there a while, but you only noticed it once it got large enough.

Q – Why does a bump on my gum feel larger than it looks?

A – That’s down to how sensitive the tongue is. It picks up on even very small changes inside the mouth.

Q – Can a bump on my gum affect the fit of a denture or retainer?

A – It can. Any change to the shape or contour of the gums can alter how a denture, retainer, or aligner sits against the surrounding tissue, so if something has started feeling different, it’s worth getting it checked.

Q – Is it safe to keep touching a bump on my gum with my tongue?

A – Most people do it without even realising. That said, repeatedly prodding the area can make it feel more irritated than it actually is, and it also makes it harder to tell whether anything is genuinely changing by itself.

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