Author of the article:
Soldatova Lyudmila Nikolaevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical Dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, Chief Physician of the Alfa-Dent Dental Clinic, St. Petersburg
The appearance of a small bump on the gum
sometimes it confuses people. Meanwhile, this is a very common dental problem, although the reasons for its occurrence can be completely different. Let's try to figure it out: you have such a lump, what can it mean and how to cure it?
Growth on the gum: why it appears and how to treat
A growth has appeared on the gum: what is the cause
Infectious diseases
Non-communicable diseases
Types of growth
Gum cancer
Lump after crown installation
Growth on the gum: how to treat
Which doctor should I contact if a growth appears on the gum?
Normally, the gums have a smooth, pale pink texture. Any change, be it a thickening or a growth, signals problems in the body that cannot be ignored, as they pose a health hazard. Why lumps appear on the gums and how to treat them, we will tell you in the article.
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.
A growth has appeared on the gum: what is the reason?
A lump or growth is a compaction on the gum caused by damage to periodontal tissue, which may appear without any previous signs. Growths appear in people of any age, but mainly in young children, as they unknowingly introduce infection into their mouths. The first thing you need to do when you detect formations in your mouth is to determine the nature of their origin (only a doctor can do this). It comes in two types:
- Infectious. The appearance of cones is caused by the activity of bacteria.
- Non-infectious. Bumps and growths as a result of injury, mechanical or chemical damage.
If a lump has formed in your mouth, you should consult a doctor to rule out possible complications. The doctor will help diagnose the problem and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Folk remedies
The use of effective folk methods and recipes as a supplement to basic drug treatment can significantly speed up the healing process.
- Rinse with saline solutions. Per liter of boiled water - 4 tbsp. spoons of salt, leave to brew for an hour. Afterwards, warm the solution a little and sanitize the oral cavity. Salt disinfects, relieves swelling, and soothes.
- Gargling with herbal infusions. Chamomile, eucalyptus, calendula, and yarrow are suitable for these purposes. 4 tbsp. l. herbs are brewed in 1 liter of boiling water and infused for half an hour. Herbs have a calming and antiseptic effect on the mucous membrane and promote the resorption of compactions.
- Kalanchoe juice. Nourishes and heals inflamed gum tissue, strengthens tooth enamel. Freshly squeezed juice is rubbed into the gums, or a washed leaf, freed from the outer skin, is simply chewed.
- Salt with honey. Healing tandem - salt softens inflamed tissues and helps remove purulent exudate, and honey disinfects, nourishes, and soothes. A mixture of honey and salt is prepared in a 2:1 ratio.
- Garlic tincture. It removes pus well and is a powerful antiseptic, but to avoid burns it should not be used for more than 3 days. The infusion is prepared from 4 heads of garlic, 5 lemons and 700 grams of vodka. The crushed ingredients are infused in alcohol for 3 days. Then rinse the mouth with the solution every 4 hours.
Important! Traditional methods are auxiliary methods of combating the disease, not a panacea, and will not replace drug treatment prescribed by a dentist.
Infectious diseases
| Gingivitis and periodontitis Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, often accompanied by the appearance of a red ball-shaped growth near the tooth. The next stage is periodontitis. With it, purulent discharge is observed, and the lump acquires a grayish or beige tint. |
| Granuloma or cyst When pulpitis is advanced, the inflammatory process reaches the apex of the root, where a granuloma forms. Often this process goes unnoticed by the patient, so he is in no hurry to see a doctor. Over time, the pathology can develop into a fistula - a white formation on the gum. |
| Flux Purulent inflammation on the gums occurs against the background of advanced caries or pulpitis, a poorly treated root canal. At the first stage, minor pain appears; on the second - swelling and redness; on the third, the temperature may rise and the cheek may swell; on the fourth – the pain becomes sharp and throbbing, swelling increases. |
Ball in mouth - what is it?
When the inflammation begins to gradually progress, a blister appears on the gum. The main reason for the formation of a lump is poor oral hygiene and prevention. But the ball can also form under the influence of other factors: inflammation occurring in the roots of the teeth, gums, mucous membranes, and periosteum.
The problem is that the disease can be diagnosed in the later stages, with the development of a purulent process. This happens because the patient does not visit the dentist. For patients who experience fear while in a chair, the doctor can give sedative anesthesia, in which the receptors are turned off and the patient falls into a shallow sleep.
Attention! It is better to diagnose the disease early in order to prevent more dangerous consequences, including blood infection and inflammation of the entire jaw.
Non-communicable diseases
| Epulis This is a benign formation. It has a stem and a cap. Most often it occurs due to malocclusion, improper prosthetics, and hormonal changes. In the absence of adequate treatment, the tumor can develop into a malignant one. |
| Exostosis A bone growth that occurs against the background of a jaw abnormality - the bone extends beyond its usual boundaries, forming a lump. Most often, the reason lies in a genetic predisposition, less often - as a result of injury or complex tooth extraction. |
| Hematoma As a rule, it is formed as a result of an impact and goes away on its own over time. If there is damage to the tissue, then surgical intervention is necessary. |
Treatment
How to get rid of a lump that appears on the gum? Treatment is based on eliminating the causes and symptoms of the underlying disease.
Fistula.
When a fistula occurs, the main goal is to eliminate the source of infection and remove the pus. To do this, rinse the mouth with a solution of soda and salt in a 1:1 ratio (half a teaspoon per glass). The procedure is repeated daily every 1.5-2 hours until the seal completely disappears.
Exostosis.
Exostosis is treated only surgically if there are indications for removal of the lump: pain, rapid growth, or the presence of a cosmetic defect.
During surgery, overgrown areas of tissue are removed with a chisel, then the bone is smoothed out. Worth knowing!
In children, exostoses often disappear on their own over time, so there may be no need for surgery.
Epulis.
Treatment of epulis begins with eliminating the causes that caused it - removing tartar, treating caries, adjusting prosthetic structures. Then observation is carried out and, if necessary, surgical excision of the cones to healthy tissue.
Periodontitis.
To treat periodontitis, the filling is removed from the diseased tooth, the canals are sanitized and widened (to allow pus to escape) and the affected periodontal tissues are removed. Antiseptic treatment is carried out and antibiotics are prescribed. Then a temporary filling is placed, which is later replaced with a permanent one.
Periostitis.
Treatment for periostitis is similar to the sanitation of periodontitis, with a difference in the duration of the procedure due to the more serious consequences of the disease. The tooth is unfilled, the canals are cleaned and expanded. Medicine is placed under the temporary filling and it is removed after 2 months. The tooth is washed with antiseptics, then the temporary filling procedure is repeated again. When the symptoms of the disease are eliminated, a permanent filling is applied; if there is no result, the tooth is removed.
Periodontitis.
Treatment takes place on an outpatient basis. The doctor removes tartar and performs antiseptic treatment of dental pockets. For serious lesions, treatment is performed surgically.
Gingivitis.
Gingivitis can be treated at home, using ointments, gels and rinses prescribed by your doctor.
But the main thing is proper oral hygiene. Important!
Treatment of diseases, depending on their complexity and nature, can be carried out on an outpatient basis or at home. One thing is certain: only a specialist should make a diagnosis and prescribe procedures (even at home!)!
Types of growth
New growths on the gums vary in shape, size, and method of formation.
- Angiomatous growth. A soft, bumpy, pink growth that grows very quickly. Often reappears after removal. This growth is diagnosed in children aged 10-12 years; as a rule, it does not occur in adults.
- A fibrous growth is a gum-colored lump. It grows slowly and does not cause pain, so patients are in no hurry to see a doctor.
- Giant cell growth. A rapidly growing neoplasm of red-blue color, from which serous fluid is secreted. The lump is easy to injure.
It hurts/doesn’t hurt: in what cases does pain occur?
Periostitis is considered the most painful. With this complication, the main inflammatory process is localized in the area of the bone and periosteum, which causes severe pain. Seals caused by the inflammatory process in the periodontium (gingivitis, periodontitis) are disturbing when pressed, thermal and mechanical influences are applied. Epulis and ecostosis, as a rule, are not accompanied by pain, but when damaged and inflamed, they also disturb the patient.
A lump near a tooth with periodontitis may not cause noticeable pain, especially if it has a fistulous tract. It is important to understand that the absence of pain does not mean that treatment can not be carried out. In most situations, the tooth can be saved, but some patients are very negligent about their health and consult a doctor in extreme cases. A lump above (or under) a tooth is quite an alarming signal, which often indicates the development of quite serious diseases.
Gum cancer
This dangerous neoplasm is worth highlighting separately. Mutation cells begin to divide uncontrollably, which is why a red tumor forms on the gum. The disease progresses quickly and over time can develop into jaw cancer.
What are the symptoms?
- General weakness;
- increased body temperature (37 C°);
- loss of appetite;
- constant drowsiness.
The doctor makes an accurate diagnosis after a detailed examination. As a rule, treatment is long and painstaking. With timely medical intervention, the outcome is favorable.
Gingivitis
In the case of this disease, which is a harbinger of periodontitis, it is all due to a reluctance to pay proper attention to one’s teeth and a lack of knowledge of what to do in the current situation. The constant accumulation of bacteria causes bleeding from the gums, they become inflamed, begin to swell and small red bumps form on the surface.
With this disease, the best doctor is a responsible patient.
With regular rinsing with herbs, applying medicinal gels and ointments and strictly following the rules of oral hygiene, gingivitis recedes and does not bother the patient. But what happens if you ignore these simple rules? Read on and don’t let this happen!
Video - What is Gingivitis and how is it treated?
Growth on the gum: how to treat
The treatment plan is developed by the doctor based on the nature of the growth, so in no case should you self-medicate. It is important to understand that if you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner, serious complications can arise.
If the cause is an infection, then it must be removed. In case of periodontal inflammation, professional oral hygiene is performed. If the cause is periodontitis and complicated pulpitis, then first the lump is opened and pus is pumped out of it, and then conservative or surgical treatment is carried out.
If there is no pain, for example, with epulis or ecostosis, then the decision about surgical intervention is made together with the patient.
Periodontitis
In addition to dental diseases, there are other dangerous pathologies of the oral cavity. One of the most common is periodontitis. We will describe the known symptoms and treatment of this problem, as well as the causes of its occurrence and show photos of various forms and stages. Dentists believe that 90% of the world's population suffers from this disease. At the same time, not every person pays attention to this and undergoes treatment, thereby exposing healthy teeth to the danger of falling out and the development of other serious consequences.
When treated with medications, antibiotics are used to completely destroy the infection and disinfect tissues, and general strengthening agents that boost the immune system and help increase the natural protective functions of the body.
Dangerous symptoms
If a lump appears after tooth extraction, you should inform your doctor about it. Particularly dangerous symptoms are:
- discharge of pus;
- severe swelling;
- acquisition of bluish tint by fabrics;
- pain on palpation;
- absence of a protective blood clot.
Trying to cure a disorder without medical help is not only unwise, but also dangerous. By engaging in amateur activities and experimenting with folk recipes, a person risks creating conditions for the further spread of the inflammatory process. Then it is possible that the extraction will be followed by a second operation. This time it will be aimed at removing tissues affected by the purulent process.
