Discovering an unexpected growth in your mouth can be unsettling, especially if it feels like a tooth is emerging. While alarming, this sensation often stems from common, benign reasons. Understanding the possibilities can alleviate concern and guide appropriate action. This article explores factors leading to such sensations, from normal tooth development to other oral findings.
Normal Tooth Development
The sensation of a new tooth growing on your gums often indicates natural tooth eruption. This is common with molars, especially wisdom teeth (third molars), typically erupting between ages 17 and 21. As these teeth push through gum tissue, they can cause localized swelling, tenderness, and pressure.
Gum tissue over an erupting tooth may appear red or swollen, sometimes with bleeding. This discomfort is normal as the tooth pushes through. In children, similar sensations occur when permanent teeth, like first molars, emerge around age 6 or 7. Swelling and tenderness subside as the tooth emerges.
Extra Teeth and Related Conditions
The feeling of a new tooth can stem from extra teeth or specific eruption conditions. Supernumerary teeth (hyperdontia) develop beyond the normal count. These extra teeth are more common in the upper jaw, appearing singly or in multiples, sometimes hidden. A mesiodens, an extra tooth between the upper front incisors, is the most common type.
Eruption cysts or hematomas can mimic a growing tooth. These fluid-filled sacs form over an erupting tooth, appearing as a bluish, clear, or blood-filled dome. Usually harmless, they often resolve when the tooth breaks through. However, a dentist may intervene if they cause significant pain or interfere with function.
Impacted teeth are those unable to fully emerge due to a physical barrier. Wisdom teeth are often impacted due to insufficient jaw space. An impacted tooth can cause pain, swelling, and pressure, feeling like a growth even if not visible. Complications include damage to neighboring teeth, increased decay risk, and cyst formation.
Other Oral Findings
Not all growths feeling like a tooth are actual teeth. Various benign anatomical variations can be mistaken for emerging teeth. Tori, like torus palatinus (roof of mouth) and torus mandibularis (inner lower jaw), are common benign bony growths. These are painless, slow-growing, and rarely require removal unless they interfere with oral function or dental prosthetics.
Exostoses are similar benign bony outgrowths on the outer jawbone, often in premolar and molar regions. Like tori, they are asymptomatic and a variation of normal anatomy. Occasionally, bone spurs—small bone pieces—can become exposed or feel sharp after tooth extraction or trauma. These may feel like a foreign object or new tooth, causing discomfort.
Fibromas are common, benign fibrous tissue growths in the oral cavity, including gums, inner cheek, or tongue. They appear as smooth, firm, dome-shaped lumps, often matching surrounding tissue color. Oral fibromas are painless unless irritated by biting or rubbing, often forming in response to chronic irritation or trauma.
When to See a Dentist
Given diverse possibilities for oral growths or sensations, professional evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis. A dentist determines the cause and recommends appropriate action. Seek dental attention if you experience pain, persistent swelling, redness, or tenderness in the affected area.
Other symptoms warranting a dental visit include difficulty opening your mouth, unpleasant taste, bad breath, or infection signs like pus or fever. A dentist performs a clinical examination and may use X-rays to visualize underlying bone and teeth. This process differentiates between normal variations, erupting teeth, and other oral conditions. While many causes are benign, diagnosis ensures peace of mind and management.