Bumps in the mouth, which may or may not be accompanied by other complaints such as pain, can be caused by several conditions, such as ulcers, mucous cysts, oral lichen planus and inflamed papillae. Bumps in the mouth can occur on the inside of the cheeks, the top or bottom of the tongue, your gums or the roof of your mouth. These conditions usually go away on their own after a few days or weeks, but sometimes certain medications can relieve the symptoms and speed up recovery. Visit your doctor for a correct diagnosis if you suffer from bumps or lumps in the mouth.

• Bumps in the mouth due to genital warts (STD)
• Gray to white bumps due to canker sores
• Oral fungus
• Torus or bone protrusion
• Mucocele or mucous cyst
• Cold sores
• Small bump in the mouth due to a bite fibroma
• White-gray lines due to lichen planus
• Hyperkeratosis due to friction
• Inflamed papillae
• Red bumps due to oral allergy syndrome

 

Bumps in the mouth due to genital warts (STD)

A wart is a small round or oval tumor. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts can occur on the penis, scrotum, in the vagina, groin, thighs, inside or around the anus, but they can also appear in the mouth or on the lips. Genital warts can spread to the mouth through oral sex. Warts can disappear on their own or can be treated with a special medicine applied directly to the wart (cryosurgery or electrosurgery).Small ulcer on the inside of the lower lip / Source: Pfiffner Pascal, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)

Gray to white bumps due to canker sores

A canker sore is a painful, gray-white ulcer in the mouth of approximately 5 to 10 mm in diameter, often with a reddish ring around it. The exact cause of these ulcers or sores is unknown. They often come back (recur) but heal quickly, usually within 1 to 2 weeks. They are often treated with corticosteroids or creams applied directly to the area.

Oral fungus

Candida is a type of fungus normally found in the mouth, known as buccal fungus. Sometimes an overgrowth of candida can cause an infection called candidiasis. This can happen when people with weakened immune systems take antibiotics or use steroids for a long time. Candidiasis is treated with antifungal medications.

Torus or bone protrusion

A torus is a bone bulge that can form in the roof of the mouth or palate (called torus palatinus) or in the lower jaw next to the tongue (called torus mandibularis). These often do not need to be treated unless they interfere with eating or wearing dentures.

Mucocele or mucous cyst

Mucoceles or mucous cysts are soft swellings that usually occur on the gums or palate, in the lower lip or under the tongue. They are often caused by accidentally biting the lower lip, which damages a salivary gland and causes saliva to build up. They often go away without treatment, but if not, they can be removed with simple surgery.Cold sore symptoms include pain and blisters / Source: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons (PD)

Cold sores

A cold sore (herpes labialis) is a contagious infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms include blisters, usually on or around the lips or in the mouth. The blisters itch, burn, tingle or hurt. Cold sores usually heal within a week, but they can return. Antiviral medications can be used to treat this infection.

Small bump in the mouth due to a bite fibroma

Biting fibroids are round, smooth, firm lumps that occur in the mouth. They are most common in the inner linings of the cheeks (the buccal mucosa) and the lips (the labial mucosa). They can be removed with surgery.

White-gray lines due to lichen planus

Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can affect the tongue, gums, mouth and skin. Oral lichen planus is associated with the presence of fine, slightly raised white-gray lines on the buccal mucosa and/or gums, sometimes also on the lips and tongue. Topical steroids are used to treat oral lichen planus.

Hyperkeratosis due to friction

Hyperkeratosis due to friction is a whitish thickening of the lining in the mouth (mucosa) that can result from constant rubbing. It is often seen on the inside of the cheek, lips, tongue or gums. This condition is treated by removing the cause of friction, such as dentures, or smoothing any rough teeth.Ibuprofen / Source: Martin Sulman

Inflamed papillae

Bumps on your tongue may indicate inflamed papillae (papillitis). This inflammation can be caused by an injury, such as biting your tongue or burning your tongue with hot food. This condition usually clears up on its own, but medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce the pain caused by inflamed papillae.

Red bumps due to oral allergy syndrome

Oral allergy syndrome is caused by cross-reactivity between proteins in fresh fruits and vegetables and pollen. It is characterized by itching of the lips and oral cavity, sometimes extending to the ears. This may be accompanied by red bumps in the mouth and swelling.

read more

• Bumps on the tongue: causes of white or red tongue bumps
• Bump on palate: Causes of lump on palate
• Swollen palate: causes swelling of the palate
• Sores on tongue, sores in mouth: Gingivostomatitis
• Blisters in the mouth: causes blisters or sores in the mouth