Weird gum irritation -- spring related? (pic)

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#1 Post by **Kodius Champion** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:34 pm

OK, this is something that's bugging me.

This past Wednesday, I had a stronger spring installed between a couple of bottom teeth to make room for Wonky Tooth. Naturally, it hurt somewhat, but when toying around the area with my tongue a couple of days later, I noticed this weird "flap" of gum tissue overlapping the back of my molar!

It's almost like a "finger" of gum tissue, and it hurts like a bugger. I know I've seen movement already in these teeth, and I'm wondering -- is this spring jamming my molar back and causing it to dig into my gum? (or something...?)

In case someone knows what's going on, I submit the following picture:

**WARNING: PICTURE OF WEIRD GUM THING AHEAD. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! **

You can see the back of the spring on the tooth in front of it. Is this some sort of irritation that I should know about/be wary of? I have a regular dentist's appointment on the 26th, worse come to worst.

#2 Post by **joney** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:42 pm

Kodius

First I must congratulate you on not having fillings in your back molars, well done.

I have a vague recollection of similar flaps over my top wisdom teeth years ago before they were removed. It could be caused by irritation perhaps. Sorry I can't help more with this one but I'm pretty sure I had similar flaps but can't remember the complete history of why my wisdoms were removed, but it was probably decay, as I didn't look after my teeth so well in those days. I still have my bottom wisdoms by the way.

Hope it's not anything too major, keep us informed.

Regards
Joney

#3 Post by **nancoy** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:17 pm

I have had this problem after I had all of my widsom teeth cut out. Not sure why your is doing this but mine got smaller over time. Its been 7 years ago, they are still there but they don't bother me anymore. If the pain is bothering you, maybe you should call your dentist and see what they say about it. ~Nancy

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#4 Post by **rsprouse** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:58 pm

How old are you? Late teens or early twenties? Are your wisdom teeth starting to come in? That is the typical scenario for this type of situation. If it is not your 3rd molars then you will want to have it looked at locally.

Good Luck,
Rory

#5 Post by **Kodius Champion** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:45 am

I'm 26, and yes, I have my wisdom teeth, but they're impacted (bottom ones are sideways) and due to come out later this summer.

Do you think they're trying to break through??

#6 Post by **becks** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:41 am

They could be trying to come through or just getting pushed closer to the surface. When my wisdom teeth came in years ago I had a flap like that on one of them. I don't think its an irritation but I would point it out at next appt.

#7 Post by **rsprouse** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:19 pm

I'm 26, and yes, I have my wisdom teeth, but they're impacted (bottom ones are sideways) and due to come out later this summer.

Do you think they're trying to break through??

That is how tissue often responds when a tooth is erupting. Can you feel anything with your finger? Any pain? Be careful as it is easy to impact food debris in folds of tissue and then they can become inflamed and quite painful. I assume you don't know what type of impaction you have (soft tissue, partial bony, full bony)?

Best,
Rory

#8 Post by **Kodius Champion** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:27 am

Can you feel anything with your finger?

Not, not really, at least nothing out of the ordinary.

Any pain?

Yes! Not "Holy crap, I'm going to die!" pain, but annoying, "Ow, that frickin' hurts, I should take an ibuprofen" pain. I won't chew on that side.

I assume you don't know what type of impaction you have (soft tissue, partial bony, full bony)?

Correct, though I've received every indication that they're still within the jaw itself, so I'm assuming at least partial-bony?

Thanks muchly for the input, BTW!

#9 Post by **pokergirl** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:09 pm

I have the same problem except it's on the side of my mouth. I wasn't real sure what had caused it until I woke up one night with my teeth clenched around it. I just started noticing it after my last adjustment. It's very annoying.

#10 Post by **Kodius Champion** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:48 am

Well, here's an update.

Gum Thing is still there, however, it doesn't hurt like a bugger anymore. Either it's shrinking, or it just decided to stop making the entire back part of my lower jaw ache.

About time it came to its senses.