My gingiva is thickened in the lower front teeth. Is it normal?

Question

Hello doctor,

On my lower gum below the roots of my front teeth, I have a pale area that looks slightly thicker than the surrounding gum line. At first, I thought it could be a mouth ulcer, but it does not taste like an ulcer and does not hurt. I noticed it a month ago, but it could have been there for longer potentially forever. Is this likely to be a normal part of my gum or something I need to consult a dentist about?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and also saw the attached images (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

Although the images could be much clearer and as you have used the flash the image is brighter than normal.

But as a specialist, I can assure you nothing to worry about and it is just a normal physiological gum thickening below both the roots of the lower central incisors. Gum thickening can be due to any trauma during brushing teeth or biting any hard food.

However, if the image would be clearer and not cropped it would be much better. But to be frank it does not show any signs of ulcer or any serious issue, nothing to be worried about and no treatment is needed.

If it is not over-demanding, for your safety. Can I please request a clear image keeping the mouth as dry as possible with a cotton ball and reupload of image? It is not very important, it is just to be sure and kindly click without flash to keep the image as normal as possible.

Also, let me know how it feels to be in touch. Is it hard or soft? Mandibular tori harmless bony elevations generally erupt in these areas and stay forever without noticing. This can also be a possibility.

I will be waiting for your reply. In any case, you have nothing to be worried about. And no treatment is needed in any case.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I went through the image (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and as commented previously, it is harmless nothing to be worried about in any case.

Just a gingival thickening (adaptive way to respond a trauma by our body) might be due to toothbrush or during chewing hard food. No blanching noted upon palpation. Or a mandibular tori, if it is hard to palpate but feels the same as normal gum tissue but elevated and gets blanched (whitish) upon palpating.

My diagnosis is anyone between these two possibilities. And mostly it is mandibular tori. Both are natural and no treatment needed and just normal physiological changes.

I hope this helps.