A small bump on the gum that sometimes releases pus, shrinks and then returns usually points to infection at the root of a tooth. It should not be ignored even if it does not hurt.
- A small pimple like bump on the gum is usually a fistula, a sign of infection at a tooth root or the tissue around it.
- The bump may shrink and return and may not hurt much, yet the infection below is still present.
- Do not squeeze it or place strange substances on the gum, as this can spread the infection.
- See a dentist when the bump lasts over a week or comes with a swollen cheek, fever or a loose tooth.
Many people discover a small pimple like bump on the gum. Sometimes it releases pus or leaves a salty, unpleasant taste, then it shrinks and returns a few weeks later. Because it does not hurt much, it is easy to overlook. In fact this is a signal that the body is looking for a way to drain pus from an infection below.
What is the bump on the gum?
This bump is usually called a fistula. When the root of a tooth or the tissue around it is infected, pus collects and looks for a way out through the gum surface. Once pus drains, pressure falls and the pain eases, so people think the problem is gone, but the cause is still there underneath.
Common causes
- A tooth with a dead nerve after deep decay or injury, with infection spreading down to the root.
- Gum disease that forms a pocket of pus beside a tooth.
- A tooth that has had root canal treatment but still has infection at the tip of the root.
- A foreign object, such as a fish bone or food fragment, caught deep under the gum.
Should you squeeze it or use folk remedies?
No. Squeezing can push bacteria further, and placing leaves or strange substances on the gum can burn the lining. The right approach is to find which tooth is the source and treat it at the root, for example with root canal treatment, gum treatment, or extraction if the tooth cannot be kept.
When should you see a dentist?
Please come for an examination if the bump lasts more than a week, shrinks and then returns, or comes with a swollen cheek, fever, difficulty opening the mouth or a loose tooth. The dentist will examine you, take an X-ray to find the source tooth and advise on treatment. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first.
Frequently asked questions
Does a painless bump on the gum still need a check?
Yes. Being painless does not mean the infection is gone, because draining pus relieves the pain. The cause underneath still has to be found and treated.
Will a bump on the gum go away on its own?
It may shrink for a while but usually comes back because the infection has not been treated. The longer it is left, the easier it is for the infection to spread.
Can rinsing with salt water cure a fistula?
Salt water keeps the mouth clean and comfortable but cannot clear an infection at the root of a tooth. A dentist needs to treat the cause.