Lump or Mass on Gums
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
The presence of a lump, or mass, on the gums can be indicative of several different conditions. An infection, such as a bacterial infection or localized abscess, can present as a mass on the gums. Oral cancers (mouth or gum cancer) or tumors of the teeth or jaw are rarer causes of a mass on the gums. 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.
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Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
Goldman, Kim E. "Mandibular Cysts and Odontogenic Tumors." eMedicine.com. May 20, 2009. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/852734-overview>.
Stephen, James M. "Gingivitis." eMedicine.com. Nov. 23, 2009. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/763801-overview>.
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Other Causes of Lump or Mass on Gums
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