Oral Fibromas

If you find a firm bump inside your cheek, lip or mouth, it might be annoying or worrisome. One possible cause is an oral fibroma, a common, noncancerous growth that can form when the soft tissue in your mouth is repeatedly irritated. 

Oral fibromas are usually not dangerous but they can look or feel like other mouth conditions. If you have a bump, sore or growth in your mouth that doesn’t go away, a health care provider can help you find the cause and recommend the right treatment.

What is an oral fibroma?

An oral fibroma (also called a mouth fibroma or a fibroma in mouth tissue) is a noncancerous lump of scar-like tissue that forms inside your mouth, usually on the inside of the cheek, especially along the line where the teeth meet.

Oral fibromas form in a way similar to how a callus develops on your skin. They are usually firm, smooth and similar in color to the surrounding mouth tissue. They are also sometimes called irritation fibromas, traumatic fibromas or reactive hyperplasia.

Oral fibromas are not cancer but you should see a health care provider for any lumps that are new, changing, painful or persistent.

What causes oral fibromas?

Common causes or triggers include:

• Accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or lip
• Chewing on your cheek
• Rubbing from dentures, retainers, braces, dental work or dental appliances
• A rough or broken tooth
• Rubbing from the way the teeth come together
• Trauma to the soft tissue inside the mouth

What does an oral fibroma look and feel like?

An oral fibroma may be:

• Located on the inside of the cheek, lip, tongue or gums
• Firm or rubbery
• Smooth
• Round or oval
• Painless or only mildly uncomfortable
• The same color as the inside of the mouth or white or darker red if it’s irritated or bleeding or if you bite it 
• Slow growing
• Persistent, meaning it does not go away quickly

Is an oral fibroma cancer?

Oral fibromas are benign, which means they aren’t cancer. But you can’t always tell what a mouth bump is by looking at it. Some mouth cancers or precancerous changes start as sores, lumps, patches or areas that don’t heal.

You should see a doctor, dentist or ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for any mouth sore that won’t go away or any lump or patch that lasts more than two weeks.

When should you see a doctor or dentist for a mouth bump?

You should schedule an evaluation if:

• A bump or sore lasts more than two weeks
• The bump is growing or changing
• It bleeds easily
• It becomes painful
• It makes it hard to chew, speak, swallow, move your tongue or jaw or wear dentures
• You have white, red or dark patches in your mouth
• You have numbness, tingling or unexplained pain
• You have a lump in your neck
• You use tobacco or drink alcohol heavily
• You have a history of oral cancer, head and neck cancer or HPV-related cancer
• You have unexplained weight loss

Do not try to treat a mouth growth at home by cutting, draining or removing it on your own. This can lead to bleeding, infection or a delay in diagnosis.

How are oral fibromas diagnosed?

Your provider may:

• Ask how long the bump inside mouth tissue has been there
• Ask whether it has changed, bled or caused pain
• Review possible causes like cheek biting or denture irritation
• Examine your mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, throat and neck
• Look for possible causes of repeated irritation
• Recommend a biopsy (removing a tissue sample to evaluate it in a lab) if the diagnosis isn’t clear or the growth needs to be removed

How are oral fibromas treated?

Oral fibroma treatment depends on the size, location, symptoms and cause. An oral fibroma may not need treatment if it is small and not causing symptoms.

Treatment options may include:

• Fixing the source of irritation, such as a rough tooth, dental appliance or denture fit
• Wearing a mouth guard if biting your cheek or grinding your teeth is part of the problem
• Oral fibroma removal with a small surgical procedure if it is painful, growing, frequently bitten, bothersome or hard to diagnose; removed tissue will be sent to a lab to confirm the diagnosis

Can oral fibromas come back?

Oral fibromas can come back if whatever is causing the irritation continues. They’re less likely to come back if you correct the cause. For example, adjusting dentures, smoothing a rough tooth, treating cheek biting or using a mouth guard can help. Regular dental visits can help catch irritation early.

How to help prevent oral fibromas

You can’t always prevent oral fibromas, but it can help to:

• See a dentist if a tooth feels sharp or broken
• Have dentures, braces, retainers or mouth guards adjusted if they rub
• Avoid chewing the inside of your cheeks or lips
• Talk with your dentist about a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth
• Keep up with regular dental checkups

Why choose Banner Health for mouth and throat concerns?

Banner Health’s ENT specialists can check any mouth bumps, sores or growths and help figure out whether you need more testing or treatment. They can help identify whether your symptoms may be related to irritation, infection, an oral lesion or another condition. And they can recommend your next steps if you have a mouth bump that needs to be biopsied or removed.

Frequently asked questions about oral fibromas

What is the main cause of an oral fibroma?

Oral fibromas are often caused by repeated irritation or minor trauma inside the mouth, such as cheek biting, rubbing from dentures or irritation from a rough tooth.

Are oral fibromas painful?

Most oral fibromas are not painful. They may become sore if they are bitten, rubbed or irritated.

Can an oral fibroma go away on its own?

Some irritation may improve if the cause is removed but a true oral fibroma often does not disappear quickly on its own. A provider can tell you whether it should be monitored or removed.

Should I pop or cut an oral fibroma?

No. Do not try to pop, cut or remove a mouth growth at home. This can cause bleeding, infection and delayed diagnosis.

How do I know if a mouth bump is serious?

You cannot always tell by looking. A bump, sore or patch that lasts more than two weeks, grows, bleeds or causes pain should be checked by a doctor, dentist or ENT specialist.

Who treats oral fibromas?

A dentist, oral surgeon, primary care provider or ENT specialist may evaluate an oral fibroma. The right provider may depend on where the growth is, how it looks and whether biopsy or removal is needed.