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What Causes Sudden Swelling In Gum?

Posted on Wed, 30 Mar 2016

Question: For Dr. XXXXXXX Ward, dentist:

I have a sudden gum swelling (mass) that appeared overnight. It is quite hard but doesn't hurt. What is it and what is the treatment for it I can expect when I visit my local dentist. Thanks, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to multiple reasons, needs more details

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain a sudden mass over the gums that appeared overnight can be due to a number of causes like a Dental abscess or a Periapical cyst..
It can also be due to gum overgrowth and pathologies related to gums like infection..
But to rule out the exact cause of the swelling I would like to know a few more details so that I can guide you better..

Kindly answer the following questions:
1. What is the exact location of the swelling?
2.Is it on upper gums or lower gums, towards lips or cheeks or towards the tongue or palate?
3.Is the tooth associated with the swollen gums is decayed?
4.Is it of the same colour of the gums or there is any change in colour like redness or bluish or whitish appearance?
5.When you touch it, does it appear like you are touching a bone beneath the gums or it can be slightly depressed?
6. Is it completely painless or there is slight tenderness?
If possible send me a picture of the swelling so that it will help me in understanding better..

Kindly revert back soon with the answers..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (43 minutes later)

Tried to reply, but email reply failed after I pushed enter: Trying again.

Thanks for quick reply.

Kindly answer the following questions:
1. What is the exact location of the swelling? UPPER LEFT GUM, FRONT PART, 2ND TOOTH FROM END
2.Is it on upper gums or lower gums, towards lips or cheeks or towards the tongue or palate?
3.Is the tooth associated with the swollen gums is decayed? NEXT TO SPACE WHERE I HAD A TOOTH REMOVED 5 YEARS AGO. ABOVE AN OLD TOOTH WITH MANY OLD FILLINGS.
4.Is it of the same colour of the gums or there is any change in colour like redness or bluish or whitish appearance? SAME COLOUR
5.When you touch it, does it appear like you are touching a bone beneath the gums or it can be slightly depressed? TOUCHING BONE
6. Is it completely painless or there is slight tenderness? NO PAIN
If possible send me a picture of the swelling so that it will help me in understanding better.. DON'T KNOW HOW TO ATTACH EMAIL IN THIS DIALOGUE - NO OPTION FOR ATTACHMENT

Thanks,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like Bony Torus

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Back..

Thanks for the reply..

As per the response to the question I asked it seems that the bony hard swelling over the upper left back gums that is painless seems to be most probably Bony Torus that is an Overgrowth of jaw bone and is totally harmless..

While another cause that is probable is Periapical cyst that occurs under root tips of a decayed tooth..
As you have multiple fillings in the tooth over which it is present, there is a possibility that the tooth has become dead with necrosis of the blood vessels and nerve tissues leading to formation of a Periapical cyst that is also hard and painless..

An x ray is must in ruling out the exact cause of the swelling and treatment can be done accordingly..

I would suggest you to consult a Dentist and get evaluated and get an x Ray done and revert me back with the scan of the x ray so that I can evaluate it and advise you to proceed for appropriate treatment..

As of now you do not need any Medication as there are no symptoms of pain..

If you are not getting an option for attaching photos contact Customer support and get assistance..

Any further questions are welcome..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (33 minutes later)

Dear Dr Honey,

Thanks for detailed reply.
I just sent you a photo via customer service.

Regards,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like an abscess or cyst, revert back with x Ray..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome back..

Thanks for the image..

It looks more like an abscess or a cyst and the tooth is also appearing decayed..
Get an x ray done and also the clinical finding described by your dentist..
Revert me back with the same so that I can guide you further that how can you proceed with the treatment..

Any further questions are welcome..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar