Bump on my gums between teeth
A bump between teeth may be an inflamed gum papilla, trapped debris, irritation, or a drainage point from a tooth infection.
The short answer
A bump between teeth may be an inflamed gum papilla, trapped debris, irritation, or a drainage point from a tooth infection. Its appearance and response to cleaning help guide the examination.
What does this question mean?
The triangular gum between two teeth is the interdental papilla. It can swell when plaque, calculus, food, floss trauma, or a rough filling irritates it; a nearby abscess can also create a raised, tender area.
What can you do next?
Clean the contact gently with floss or an appropriately sized interdental brush, then brush the gumline with a soft brush. Stop if the instrument catches or cuts the tissue, and do not apply caustic chemicals or pierce the bump.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange care if the bump remains, grows, bleeds repeatedly, or is accompanied by tooth sensitivity, bad taste, or drainage. Urgent assessment is needed when swelling spreads or fever, swallowing difficulty, or breathing difficulty develops.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the papilla is inflamed or whether the lump is coming from the tooth or bone. Ask if the filling contact, gum pocket, pulp, or root needs testing and what treatment will remove the irritant.
Frequently asked questions
Can flossing cause a bump between teeth?
Forceful or repeated snapping of floss can bruise the papilla, while gentle cleaning usually helps remove the cause of inflammation.
Should I pop a gum bump?
No. Opening it can injure tissue and does not treat decay, a periodontal pocket, or an infected pulp beneath it.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.