Lumps and Discoloration Can Be Signs of Serious Oral Conditions
Posted on 2/8/2021 by Kian Djawdan DMD |
 There are many different oral conditions that can cause lumps and discoloration on your lips, gums, tongue, or other areas of your mouth. You should always seek our help if you notice any changes to your mouth so we can perform a thorough oral examination and determine if your symptoms are nothing to worry about, or signs of a more serious condition. Here are just a few examples of more serious oral conditions that can lead to lumps and discoloration in your mouth.
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a complication of early gum disease that causes your gums to appear grey or black. It involves dead gum tissue building up on your gums and is often accompanied by a fever, pain, and bad breath. Like all forms of gum disease, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Oral Abscess
If you notice a swollen, painful lump on your gums or near the root of a tooth, you might have an oral abscess. This is a pocket of pus that forms in response to an infection such as untreated gum disease, severe tooth decay, or an infection resulting from a dental injury. An oral abscess is profoundly serious and needs to be treated by a professional immediately, or else the infection can spread and cause severe, even life-threatening complications.
Addison's Disease
Addison's disease is an autoimmune condition that affects your adrenal glands, which are responsible for regulating adrenal hormones. People with Addison's disease often develop skin discoloration, including lips and gums that appear dark or even black. Addison's disease can severely interfere with quality of life if left untreated, causing appetite loss, weight loss, dehydration, digestive issues, and muscle aches.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer sometimes causes lumps and other growths on various parts of the mouth, including the roof and floor of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, gums, lips, and salivary glands. Oral cancer can also result in discoloration, usually in the form of red or white patches on the tongue. Oral cancer is very serious and often fatal if it is detected at a later stage but is usually treatable if caught early enough. If you notice lumps or discoloration in your mouth, call us today for an appointment.
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