Concerned about a bump on your gums? What could it be and what should you do?
A bump on the gums sounds like a draining abscess, which is an infection associated with either the root of the tooth or the gum tissue around the tooth…or both. Bacteria accumulate in the root due to decay, or a dying tooth, or in the gum due to a deep pocket that has collected debris, creating pus. If left there, the bone and tissue break down creating a tunnel in the gum, called a draining fistula. Because the area drains into the mouth and no pressure forms, there will typically be no pain. You may get a foul taste in your mouth and only sporadic pain from an abscessed bump on the gums.
The tooth and/or gums need to be treated to remove the source of the bacteria. If caused by the root of a tooth, a root canal is necessary. If caused by the gum tissue, treatment of the tissue is required. Not taking care of these issues will cause pus to build up creating more destruction to the bone and tooth. The infection can become severe from an untreated bump the gums.
If the infection is on the lower jaw, it can cause swelling in the floor of the mouth, closing the airway to breathe. If it is on the upper jaw, the infection can spread to the sinus and then to the brain. Therefore, early treatment is less invasive and strongly recommended!