Knot on gum above tooth
A firm or tender lump above a tooth can come from gum irritation, a tooth-root infection, or another tissue change.
The short answer
A firm or tender lump above a tooth can come from gum irritation, a tooth-root infection, or another tissue change. Its location, duration, texture, and relationship to the tooth guide the examination.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
A root infection may create a raised drainage point in the gum, while food impaction or periodontal inflammation can make tissue feel thickened. A hard, fixed, growing, or ulcerated lump needs assessment because not every lump is dental infection.
What can you do next?
Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and avoid pressing, puncturing, or applying household substances. Note whether the lump changes after eating, drains, bleeds, or becomes painful.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange a dental examination for a lump that persists, grows, bleeds, ulcerates, or is associated with pain or a loose tooth. Facial swelling, fever, or swallowing or breathing difficulty needs urgent care.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the lump is connected to the tooth root, gum pocket, or another tissue, and whether probing, a vitality test, or imaging is needed. Ask what treatment addresses the identified cause.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hard gum lump always an abscess?
No. An abscess is one possibility; the tissue and nearby tooth must be examined to identify the cause.
Can a gum lump be painless?
Yes. Lack of pain does not identify the cause, so a persistent or changing lump still warrants assessment.