Lump or Mass on Gums

Mouth | General Practice | Lump or Mass on Gums (Symptom)


Description

The presence of a lump, or mass, on the gums can be indicative of several different conditions.

Causes

An infection, such as a bacterial infection or localized abscess, can present as a mass on the gums. Oral cancers or tumours of the teeth or jaw are rarer causes of a mass on the gums. Gum cancer may start out looking like a bump or a sore that does not heal. The sore may be red or white and may look like a thickening of the gum. Teeth near the sore may become loose or dentures may not fit well.

Traumatic injuries and canker sores are some of the more common causes of a mass on the gums. Sometimes, the hormonal changes of pregnancy can cause a small lump or bump to form near the gum line, known as a pyogenic granuloma or granuloma gravidarum. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease is a silent and persistent bacterial infection around the gums and teeth.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A diagnosis can determine if you suffer from periodontal disease, making a relatively quick and painless test to measure the size and depth of the pockets in the gums. The bags that are deeper than 5 or more millimeters (mm) can indicate an infection.

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