A lump on the gum: reasons, how it can be dangerous?

Content:

1. Reasons for the formation of lumps on the gums
2. Infections that cause bumps on the gums
3. Bumps in the mouth of a non-infectious nature
4. Lump at the base of the tooth after installing a permanent crown
5. How do doctors treat a lump on the gum?

A change in the structure and shade of the oral mucosa is a reason to visit the dentist.
If a lump appears above the tooth - whether it hurts or not - it means there is some kind of problem. Such neoplasms do not just arise. This symptom may indicate various diseases. Most likely, the inflammatory process occurs in the gums, but without a preliminary diagnostic examination, the presence of systemic pathologies that manifest themselves in this way cannot be ruled out.

Possible reasons

Dentists say that in most cases, a lump on the gum is a consequence of poor oral care. Plaque can accumulate not only on the enamel, but also on the gums. Soft deposits are a favorable environment for the development of various pathogens. If plaque is not removed in a timely manner, inflammation may occur.

Doctors distinguish the following neoplasms.

• Fistula. Formed against the background of advanced caries. Most often it forms on the upper jaw. It affects not only the mucous membrane, but also bone tissue. It is a red or pink growth with pus or exudate.
• Exostosis. A hard, white lump consisting of boney substance. As a rule, it forms after tooth extraction. At the initial stage it does not cause discomfort, but as it grows, unpleasant sensations appear.
• Epulis. The ball on the stem is gum-colored. Formed from soft or hard tissues in the area of ​​the alveolar process. It can be fibrous, angiomatous, giant cell and acanthomatous. The clinical picture is similar to gingivitis.
• Flux. Inflammation of the periosteum tissue. A lump appears near a tooth affected by caries or pulpitis. Accompanied by acute pain radiating to the ear and temple.
• Cyst. A growth filled with dead cells or pus. May be light or dark in color. Appears against the background of dental diseases and inflammatory processes occurring in the gums.

Reasons for the formation of lumps on the gums

When speaking about a lump under a tooth, dentists mean a dense, white or red growth. There may be purulent masses inside it. The disorder is usually caused by damage to periodontal tissues. What led to its occurrence remains to be determined by the dentist.

The described “growths” are of two types:

• infectious;
• non-infectious.

In the first case, they arise due to the abnormal activity of pathogenic microorganisms, in the second they are associated with mechanical damage to tissues, chemical burns and other unfavorable external factors.

More often than not, a lump on the gum forms precisely because of an advanced infectious process , but this does not mean that doctors can use standard schemes in their work. First, the doctor studies the features of clinical symptoms and draws up a detailed medical history, then carries out the necessary treatment measures and selects medications that will definitely help.

Infections that cause bumps on the gums

Among the infectious diseases that contribute to the appearance of unusual gum growths:

• Periostitis. Inflammation of the periosteum of an acute or chronic nature. In advanced cases, it causes symptoms of general intoxication. The patient complains of a painful lump. It can either increase or decrease in size. Often there is pus inside it. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory therapy, opening and draining the abscess. At the doctor's discretion, root canal treatment may be performed.
• Granulomatous periodontitis. Most often, this pathology is asymptomatic and is discovered accidentally during an x-ray for another disease. If the cyst is not localized in the area of ​​the apex of the tooth, but is strongly displaced to the side (this is quite rare), a resemblance to a tumor can be observed.
• Radicular cyst. In advanced cases, its walls become inflamed. Then the infected contents of the tumor turn into pus. The necrotic masses are trying to find a way out. A lump appears, from which a foul-smelling liquid is released. During an in-person examination, hyperthermia and tenderness of the surrounding tissues are recorded. The situation may be complicated by symptoms of general intoxication: chills, fever, severe weakness.
• Gingivitis. Inflammatory gum disease. They bleed and become inflamed. Deformation of the gingival margin may occur. Sometimes the inflammation becomes so severe that small benign tumors appear.
• Periodontitis. A condition in which the tissues responsible for holding the tooth in its socket weaken. As a result, the unit becomes mobile. Deep “pockets” form at its base. If food residues accumulate in them, the situation is aggravated by the formation of small round seals.

Bumps in the mouth of a non-infectious nature

If we talk about dental “growths” of non-infectious origin, then we need to mention:

• Epulis. Tumor-like formation of a productive nature. It appears due to the negative influence of local irritating factors. It is caused by injuries, incorrectly installed prosthetic structures, the habit of constantly gnawing hard objects, and malocclusion. Externally, epulis is very similar to tumors caused by gingivitis. To make a correct diagnosis, dentists take x-rays and conduct a histological examination. When treating pathology, the negative influence of the provoking factor is first eliminated. After this, the oral cavity is sanitized. In some cases, it is necessary to excise the neoplasm within healthy tissue along with the periosteum.
• Exostosis (osteophyte). A bone growth that causes the gum level to rise. Usually does not cause any discomfort. Appears after facial injuries or tooth extraction. Most often it is discovered by chance during a routine examination or during preparation for prosthetics. Therapy boils down to removing the bony protrusion and smoothing its surface.
• Hematoma. It looks like a ball filled with blood. Indicates that in a certain area the capillaries or vessels of the mucous membrane have been injured, but the damage is superficial. Hematomas appear due to chemical burns, thermal and mechanical injuries. It is important to differentiate such hemorrhages from hemangiomas and vascular tumors. The latter are very dangerous and require completely different treatment.

Lump at the base of the tooth after installing a permanent crown

If the prosthetics are carried out correctly, the doctor did not make mistakes, no neoplasms should appear in the mouth. If, after the end of treatment, the gums swell and a painful blister forms on it, it means that something did not go according to plan.

Most likely, the doctor poorly prepared the unit for prosthetics. Depulpation must be carried out extremely carefully. There should be no air bubbles in the canals to be filled. Under no circumstances should you leave fragments of dental instruments in them. Poor depulpation creates conditions for the development of an infectious process and subsequent periodontitis.

It is also possible that the lump was formed due to shortcomings that were made at the time of fixation of the artificial unit. Then the glued structure begins to put pressure on the mucous membranes and rub the tissue. Abscesses, growths, and purulent lumps form. To eliminate these unpleasant symptoms, you need to adjust the shape of the prosthesis.

If the crown is installed correctly, it will never interfere. This needs to be understood. Only in the first hours after its fixation may an unusual sensation of a foreign body in the mouth persist. But then the person stops noticing the structure altogether.

Lump after crown installation

Improper denture fitting is a very common cause of lumps on the gums. Most often, errors occur at the tooth preparation stage, when the depulpation procedure is carried out. Poor canal filling provokes the development of infection, which, in turn, leads to periodontitis. Another common reason is a poorly made prosthesis or defects during its installation. In this case, the prosthesis injures the mucous membrane and causes swelling, abscesses and growths. Treatment almost always involves removal of the prosthesis and subsequent replacement of the prosthesis (if possible). The sooner a complication is detected, the higher the chance that it can be successfully treated. A well-installed prosthesis should not cause pain, discomfort or injure the mucous membrane. The tooth under the crown should also not hurt, since the dental nerve is killed before permanent prosthetics.

How do doctors treat a lump on the gum?

The treatment regimen directly depends on the cause of the disorder. Therefore, the patient is first offered to undergo diagnostics. It includes:

• survey, inspection;
• performing radiography;
• taking a tissue sample (if necessary).

Based on the results obtained, the doctor decides on further procedures. It can be:

• drainage and washing of purulent neoplasm;
• root canal filling;
• removal of osteophyte;
• excision of a benign tumor;
• dental crown replacement;
• conducting pharmacological therapy.

It is important that the patient strictly follows all medical prescriptions. Then the likelihood of complications will be minimized, and the oral tissues will be restored in a short time.

Treatment

Before starting treatment, you need to identify the cause of the lump. Only a specialist can do this after conducting the necessary diagnostic studies. Dental treatment will depend on the causes of the disease and the form of its course:

• the abscess can be opened and cleaned, which will prevent further spread of infection throughout the oral cavity;
• if the lump occurs due to any serious damage to the tooth, most likely the tooth will be removed;
• if a lump has formed after the removal of a tooth, the dentist will treat the hole and prescribe a number of medications.

Tooth extraction occurs only in the most extreme case, when it cannot be saved, and it causes the development of an infection in the oral cavity and its spread to neighboring teeth. The most important thing is not to self-medicate, but immediately, if a problem is discovered, contact a specialist!