<human>: I developed a lump on the side of my gum the size of a pea the last two days which is hard and painful. Should I be concerned? I tried to squeeze it but have irritated it. Should I be concerned? My grandfather had jaw cancer from smoking. and had part of his jaw removed and has since passed. I am not a smoker.
<bot>: Any bump in the mouth is of concern. Inflamed tissue can require simple treatment such as a cleaning or be an indication of a more severe condition such as a cancer. A visit to the dentist for an exam and cleaning or a limited exam with a possible X-ray of that location is advised. Suggest you rinse area and gentle dental care. Avoid area when chewing with a soft diet. Anti-inflammatory medication may help. Common conditions:Inflamed gums-Swollen, red tissue, sensitive, tender. Action required professional cleaning, plaque and tartar removal, evaluation of periodontal health. Irritation under gums - swelling, pain, broken tooth under gum, something caught between teeth, periodontal abscess. Dental cleaning with numbing under gum, remove object, possible medications include anti-inflammatory, pain and antibiotic, rinsing. Exotosis, Tori or excess Fibrous tissue - hard bump, not moveable becomes sensitive if subject to trauma. Thin tissue covering bone is prone irritation. Treat with warm salt water rinsing, avoid area, non-irritating diet. Allow time to heal. No action required and may have been present prior just never noticed. Condition is just extra normal tissue. Only concern if distinct, abrupt change or interfere with daily function or dental treatment planned. Infection - swelling localized to a tooth may develop from bottom of the root. Pain from pressure and spread of infection is common. Tooth can be very sensitive to pressure. Bubble on gum with tract from tooth may develop and release pus. Action by dentist may include Chat Doctor.  Anti-inflammatory medications helpful to reduce discomfort. Infection - swelling large with hard feeling tissue may be prone to spreading to face and neck. It can indicate a systemic reaction that can become severe. It may still be a reaction to a single tooth that requires antibiotic treatment, but you need to control the spread of the infection. Seek Emergency Room care if dental office is not available. Stronger anti-inflammatory medications may be required. Cancer - bumps, sores, pain, areas that do not heal with irregular borders, history of smoking, chewing tobacco, high alcohol beverage consumer, family illness history all can be signs of concern. Certain locations are of greater concern. Further testing can include a biopsy and referral to a specialist. Ulcerated areas can often be viral and need a short time to heal while patient can rinse, avoid area, and keep to a non-irritating diet. Biting your tongue or cheek can also cause bumps. Healing time and rinsing area again will help this condition to resolve. A dental exam is recommended if questionable areas are noticed in the mouth. In my office, I commonly see teeth with infections causing swelling. The initial complaint is often described as a lump on the gum. If the area is moveable and does not appear to be attached to the bone, it is often the initial stage of an infection starting to spread. Schedule a dental visit to put your mind at ease and prevent your condition from getting worse. Hope you feel better soon.