What is this lump inside my cheek near my wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, being the last to erupt, are known to cause many problems. As they often do not find enough room to fit, they grow in the wrong direction. They can then bite and injure the cheeks when chewing, resulting in painful ulcerations or sometimes a small whitish, lumpy lesion.

Other complications can also occur during the development of wisdom teeth, such as cysts, benign tumors, or infections.

Most of these complications are not serious and resolve as soon as you have your wisdom tooth treated. In this article, we'll look at what a lump near a wisdom tooth can mean.

Lumpy Lesions that Can Arise with Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth that are growing or impacted (embedded within the jawbone) can cause various symptoms. Again, most of these are benign and not usually that serious as long as you have them checked by your dentist.

Here are the different types of lumps that can be associated with wisdom teeth:

1. Infection:

One of the most common causes of swelling in the wisdom teeth area is an infection of the gum overlying the tooth, also known as pericoronitis. This happens when the tooth has just appeared above your gum but has not finished its eruption.

A partially erupted wisdom tooth can make it easier for bacteria and food debris to accumulate in this area, leading to infection of the gums surrounding the tooth.

Sometimes, a small piece of gum can partially cover the tooth and rub against the opposite teeth, making the infection and pain worse.

Common symptoms of pericoronitis include:

• Intense pain that spreads to the jaws
• Pus drainage
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Bad breath and bad taste in the mouth
• Swelling in the affected area
• Fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes under the lower jaw

Left untreated, the infection can spread to the cheeks, causing diffuse swelling. This condition is called facial cellulitis and can become serious at an advanced stage.

If you notice a sign of infection, see your dentist as soon as possible to assess and treat the problem.

2. Cyst and tumor:

It is not uncommon to see a cyst or benign tumor around an emerging wisdom tooth, especially if it is impacted (embedded in the bone).

A study of 5486 impacted third molars found that the frequency of cysts was 2.24%, tumors 1.16% of which 0.05% were malignant (cancerous).

Usually, in their early stages, they develop silently and without symptoms. However, when they reach a significant size, they can deform the jawbone and even the face. This is why you should check your wisdom teeth regularly with your dentist to detect any problems early and prevent possible complications.

3. Other benign lumps of the mouth:

Other benign growths on the cheek can be caused by:

• Viral infection, particularly by the human papillomavirus (which can cause warts to appear).


• Fibroepithelial hyperplasia and mucocele (both are common and harmless).


• Salivary gland tumors (less common).

A lump near a wisdom tooth may be due to chronic irritation or injury

When wisdom teeth appear slightly tilted in the mouth, with the chewing surface pointed at the cheek, they can irritate and lead to ulcers or lumpy lesions.

But these lumps aren't only because of wisdom teeth. Anything that constantly irritates or rubs against your mouth tissues can cause unusual growths or bumps.

For example, if you’re repeatedly biting your cheeks, wearing an old denture, or have braces, these things could be the actual cause.

A common type of these growths is called Fibroma (aka fibroepithelial hyperplasia). It's the most common benign (non-cancerous) lump in the mouth, mostly found in people between 30 to 50 years old.

How do fibromas appear? They’re like a defense mechanism — your body’s way of adapting to and overcoming chronic irritation or injury.

The cells in the irritated area start multiplying and produce excess collagen. This forms a firm, smooth lump that’s usually about 1 to 2 centimeters wide. It typically doesn’t hurt and blends in with the surrounding tissue. However, if you accidentally bite or injure it, it might become red, white, or swollen.



Another possible cause of that lump is something called Mucocele. It's often a clear or bluish blister filled with fluid. This can happen when you've accidentally hurt a salivary gland, like by biting your cheek. When a tube in the gland that releases saliva into your mouth gets damaged, it can block the saliva flow and make a spot on your cheek to swell.



Rarely, chronic and persistent irritation of the cheeks, or any area of your mouth, such as the tongue or lips, can progress into potentially precancerous conditions. This is because repeated and constant injuries may trigger abnormal cell changes that significantly increase the risk of oral cancer.

So, even if it's unlikely to be anything serious, if you notice a sore or wound that won't heal, don't hesitate to see your dentist or doctor.

Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the growth. If the wisdom tooth is really behind the trouble, it may need to be extracted.

Other Symptoms that Can be Associated with Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can be like a ticking time bomb. If they don’t have enough room to grow, they might stay symptom-free for years — then suddenly flare up and cause various problems.

Here are some symptoms commonly associated with wisdom teeth:

• Localized or spreading pain: The pain may be felt locally in the wisdom teeth area or extend to the jaws, ears and temporomandibular joint. It may simply be a sign that the wisdom teeth are working their way through the bone and gums to reach their final position. Other times, it indicates an infection, especially if the pain is severe.


• Gum Inflammation: As wisdom teeth push through the gums, mild swelling and tenderness in the area are common. However, severe symptoms may indicate complications.


• Infection: Wisdom teeth are more vulnerable to infection. Their position sometimes makes them hard to reach by the toothbrush, making them frequently affected by cavities.

What You Can Do Now and What Comes Next

When you notice a lump near your wisdom tooth that wasn’t there before, the first step is to find out exactly what it is and whether it’s caused by the wisdom tooth or not.

Only your dentist can help you figure this out. Once you know where it came from, it’s much easier to decide on the right treatment.

If the lump is caused by your wisdom tooth, treatment will consist of addressing the underlying problem, such as treating the infection or removing the tooth.

If the lump is unrelated to the tooth and is causing discomfort, surgical removal of the growth may be the right solution.

If the lump looks suspicious, a biopsy may be needed to find out exactly what it is.

In the meantime, while you wait to see your dentist, here are some ways to relieve the discomfort:

• Make sure you practice good oral hygiene to reduce the bacterial load in your mouth and prevent potential infections.


• Rinse your mouth several times a day with salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water).


• Use over-the-counter pain relievers.


• Alternate between hot and cold compresses for up to 10 minutes to see which works best for you. Cold packs can help reduce inflammation, while heat or gentle massage is often better for relieving muscle tenderness and tension.


• Avoid scratching or biting the lump, as this can trigger or worsen the infection.