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Developing a lump anywhere in the body can be a frightening experience, and finding a foreign bump in your mouth is no exception. While most of the time, lumps and bumps in the mouth have a simple explanation, any lump should always be checked by your doctor or dentist to rule out more serious causes. Here is a list of some common causes of lumps in the mouth.
Tori
Some people develop bony growths on their palates or on the inside surfaces of their lower gums. These are called tori (a torus is just one lump), and they’re harmless. Usually they begin growing during the early adult years, and they might get bigger as you get older. Sometimes they shrink much later in life, when bone begins to recede.
There is no treatment for tori, because they don’t typically create any problems. If your are getting irritated or ulcerated, a surgical procedure to remove some of the bone might be recommended. In general, though, the development of tori is a common occurrence and not anything to worry about, once you have it diagnosed.
Fistulas
If you notice pimple-like bump on your gums, it could be a fistula, which is a small bump that forms in order to drain an infection. These are common in people who have an abscess at the tip of one of the roots of their teeth. They can also develop with periodontal disease.
Sometimes the infection is self-limiting, but other times it can cause major problems, particularly if the fistula becomes blocked or otherwise does not promote draining. It’s a good idea to get this type of bump checked to see if you need antibiotics, a root canal, or other dental treatment.
Oral Cancer
The last thing anyone wants to be the cause of a random bump or lump is cancer. Unfortunately, occasionally growths in the mouth are caused by cancer. The good news is that with early detection, oral cancer has a high cure rate of 80 to 90 percent. If you notice any new bumps, growths or irritated areas in the mouth that do not resolve on their own within a couple of weeks, make an appointment with your dentist to have it checked.
When you come in for your routine cleanings, you’ll be examined for any lumps, bumps and growths that might signal a problem. Since you probably only come in twice yearly for these screenings, however, it’s vital that if you do have a problem in between visits, you call to make an appointment to be seen. Most of the time, your dentist will be able to assure you that it’s nothing serious, but because there is a chance that it is something serious, it’s important to get it checked.
