Hard white sore on gums

The white area may be on attached gum, the gum over a wisdom tooth, or the inner cheek side of the gum. A sharp tooth edge, denture, burn, or cheek-biting can create a firm-looking patch, while a draining dental infection may produce a raised spot beside a painful tooth.

Rinse gently with warm water, brush with a soft toothbrush, and avoid picking, smoking, alcohol-based rinses, and foods that repeatedly rub the area. Note its exact position, pain, swelling, drainage, fever, and whether it changes over the next few days; do not scrape or cut it.

Arrange a dental examination if the spot persists, enlarges, bleeds, repeatedly returns, or is accompanied by tooth pain, pus, facial swelling, fever, or difficulty opening the mouth. Seek urgent care for swelling that affects swallowing or breathing, or for rapidly spreading facial swelling.

Ask whether the area is an ulcer, exposed bone, gum infection, or a reaction to local trauma, and whether the adjacent tooth needs an X-ray or vitality test. Also ask what change should prompt a faster review and whether a rough filling, crown edge, or denture needs adjustment.