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What Causes Lump In The Upper Lip?

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Posted on Mon, 15 May 2017
Question: I have a lump about the size of an eraser high up in the fold of my upper lip and gums. I can feel it from the outside when touching my upper lib as my finger is right on the boundary of my right nostril. It's a hard bump and very painful when even slightly pressed upon. It's directly above my right front tooth but there is no pain when biting or chewing.

The bumps been around for a couple of weeks and last night and all of today I’ve had a mild constant headache along with a bit of a soar neck.

Any thoughts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It could be a cyst or an abscess.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting Healthcaremagic!
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.

As per your description it seems that you are having some kind of cyst over your gum. Rarely,it could be a chronic abscess even though most of the abscess are painful in the beginning.
If you had a dental filling or root canal in the past,it can cause gingivitis and collected abscess over the gums.
Cysts are the most probable differential diagnosis in your case. There are many kind of harmless cysts arise over the gums especially in people with poor dental hygiene. These are harmless and readily curable and does not cause any complications as well. Minor trauma like forceful brushing can cause gingival hyperplasia and development of a cyst.
As a first line therapy start a short course of antibiotic therapy for five to seven days, do frequent mouth washing with chlohexidine mouth wash.

If the lump persist, consult a dentist and get evaluated. An excision biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Hope I have answered our query.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (3 hours later)

I was just on a 10 day course of Amoxicillin-Clavul 875-125 about two weeks ago for a sinus infection which cleared up nicely, could the cyst and sinus infection be related?

And should I be going back on another round of Amoxicillin or are there other antibiotics that would work better?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Sinus infection has no relation with your symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the followup.

Sinus infection has got no relation with dental cyst.
You can try another short course of antibiotics as an initial management. If it is due to some abscess or gingivitis, it will clearup with antibiotic therapy. You can try ampiclox instead of amoxclav. Discuss with your doctor about this.

If the swelling persist despite this, kindly consult a orthodontist for detailed evaluation.

Thanks
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shinas Hussain

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2015

Answered : 23672 Questions

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What Causes Lump In The Upper Lip?

Brief Answer: It could be a cyst or an abscess. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for trusting Healthcaremagic! I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns. As per your description it seems that you are having some kind of cyst over your gum. Rarely,it could be a chronic abscess even though most of the abscess are painful in the beginning. If you had a dental filling or root canal in the past,it can cause gingivitis and collected abscess over the gums. Cysts are the most probable differential diagnosis in your case. There are many kind of harmless cysts arise over the gums especially in people with poor dental hygiene. These are harmless and readily curable and does not cause any complications as well. Minor trauma like forceful brushing can cause gingival hyperplasia and development of a cyst. As a first line therapy start a short course of antibiotic therapy for five to seven days, do frequent mouth washing with chlohexidine mouth wash. If the lump persist, consult a dentist and get evaluated. An excision biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Hope I have answered our query. Thanks