What Could a Bump Inside Your Mouth Mean? When to Visit a Dentist by Abigail Murphy

Finding an unexpected bump in your mouth – on your tongue, gums or inner cheeks – can mean days or even weeks of discomfort and pain. On the one hand, it might be benign, but on the other, it could be indicative of something worse, something that requires professional treatment. When it comes to seeing a doctor or a dentist, the general rule of thumb is that if something bothers you for a month or more, you should have it examined. However, if it bothers you, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

White, red and pink, these bumps can come in a variety of colors due to the variety of potential causes. There really is no disadvantage to seeing a dentist as soon as you notice a bump. At the very least, your dentist can prescribe a treatment regimen so you feel less pain and discomfort – and are less likely to develop another such bump in the future. If it turns out to be something more serious, you’ll get the treatment you need to combat it earlier. Pair your visit with a cleaning or if it hasn’t been that long since your last hygienist appointment, simply call to see the dentist directly.

Irritation

Many bumps are caused by irritation or repetitive rubbing. If you chew the inside of your cheek or run your tongue over an area over and over, you could develop a bump, ulcer or canker sore on the inside of your mouth. If you have braces or other metal appliances in your mouth, these could cause the bump as well. Treatment involves stopping the behavior whenever possible or applying dental wax to the metal as well as applying dentist-prescribed ointment to the area when applicable.

Yeast and Diet

Sometimes a bump is caused by what you eat. A diet high in yeast can cause small white ridges to break out on your tongue and throughout your mouth. If you have a light allergy to any food, your mouth could break out in irritation. Treatment involves identifying the dietary cause of the bumps and eliminating it from your meals. If the dentist pinpoints a yeast infection, treatment involves cutting back on yeast and potentially taking some medication to reduce the outbreak.

Cancer and Other Causes

Diet and irritation may be among the most frequent causes of mouth bumps, but they’re not the only causes. More worrisome are the mouth ulcers and tumors caused by conditions such as cancer, low white blood cell count and other medical issues. A dentist can run a test in his office to check for abnormal cells in your mouth and refer you to a surgeon who will perform a biopsy on the bump if necessary.

A biopsy doesn’t mean the bump is necessarily cancerous, but that it shares some traits with cancerous bumps, and the dentist wants to be sure. Cancerous bumps are typically red or white, and may be coupled with other early signs of cancer, such as sore throat and difficulty swallowing. If you’re a smoker, you’re at greater risk. If oral cancer is ruled out, the dentist may refer you to a doctor to determine other possible causes.

Your dentist will be able to allay your fears and prescribe treatment for the bump in your mouth. If he thinks it might be something that requires further examination, he’ll refer you to the oral surgeon or another doctor best suited to assisting you. Whenever a bump appears, it’s safer to have it examined by a dentist as soon as possible than to let it linger and possibly develop into something worse.

About the Author: Abigail Murphy is a senior health care advisor in Brooklyn who recommends Park Slope Dentistry to all of her clients.

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