Usually, a soft lump on your jaw bone, easily movable with fingers, is nothing to worry about as they often go away on their own. However, there are some scenarios when they may require medical attention. In this blog, we will learn about the 9 possible causes of jawline lumps and what you can do about them.
9 Reasons Why Your Jaw Bone Feels Lumpy
1. Abscessed Tooth
If you leave a cavity untreated for too long, it leads to an abscess development. When harmful bacteria have an inlet inside the tooth, they take this opportunity to sneak into the inner chamber, causing infection in the canal. This results in sudden swelling of the gums, forming a movable lump on your jawbone. Treatment options include a root canal, tooth extraction, pus drain, and antibiotics.
2. Swollen Lymph Node
Lymph nodes are glands under your neck skin as well as your jawline; they are your body’s defense mechanism. When you are fighting an infection, it inflames as your immune system gears up. In such a situation, soft lumps on one or both sides of your jawline are common, and you may experience other symptoms such as chills, fever, or a runny nose.
3. Allergies
Allergies are a major contributor to inflammation in your lymph nodes and other facial areas, including your jaw bone. If you have seasonal allergy symptoms with a movable lump on your jaw, blame them on allergies.
4. Lipoma
They are harmless lumps of fat forming beneath your skin. They are soft, colorless, and painless.
5. Fibroma
Fibromas are soft tissue growths that can grow anywhere in your body. Fortunately, they are non-malignant.
6. Cyst
Cystic growth is like having little pockets filled with fluid, air, or other material. Usually, they do not show up with any extra symptoms; however, they might swell and cause discomfort from time to time.
7. Cancer
Although most of the time, the reason behind a lump growth on the jaw bone is not something to worry about, certain types of cancer, like liposarcoma, can cause soft and movable lumps. It’s important to note that cancerous tumors are usually not tender to the touch.
8. Jaw Injury
A bump on your jawline might be due to a recent injury.
9. Acne
Sometimes, you may mistakenly identify the acne on your skin near the chin as a movable lump on your jawbone.
Treatment Options
The route of treatment depends on the underlying cause. Here are some common pathways accordingly:
- Infections: If infection is your culprit, antibiotics can work well to deal with them.
- Allergies: Anti-allergy medications are your go-to options for movable lumps that appear with a runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.
- Benign Growth: If the lump is benign and is not bothering you in any way, you can choose whether or not to have it removed.
- Surgery: There are times when surgery is inevitable, especially if you have a cyst or lipoma that you want to remove for cosmetic reasons. It is a problem if the lump is cancerous or affecting the functionality of your jaw.
Closing Note
In a nutshell, although a mobile lump on your jaw bone is a matter of concern, it is often nothing to worry about. However, do pay attention to any changes or symptoms that come along with it. If you want more information, contact Briar Forest Dental Group. Dial (713) 784-4430 to connect with us. Or visit our clinic at 1988 Wilcrest Dr G, Houston, TX 77042, United States.