What does a movable lump on the jaw with no pain mean?
Seeing a lump appear on your body, even if it is painless, can be very frightening. The first thing that people usually associate with lumps is cancer, and the human mind loves to wander.
This means that although the movable lump on the jaw is painless, you might still worry. In this blog, we will learn the potential causes for this type of lump and also address when you should be looking for a consultation.
While cancer is the first thing that crosses people’s mind when thinking about lumps, in this particular case, it is also the worst. That is to say, cancer is genuinely the most frightening cause for the lump on your jaw. There are less severe and more benign conditions that cause movable lump on jaw with no pain. And, we are going to look over them in this blog.
Causes for movable lump on jaw no pain:
Lymph node swelling:
Lymph nodes are located throughout the body, including in your armpits, groins, neck and, unsurprisingly, in the jaw. They’re shaped like beans and are usually made up of cells that help fight infections.
Lymph nodes swell or get bigger when they are fighting infections or illnesses. And that’s where we’re concerned. The causes of lymph node swelling can vary, with the swelling reducing on its own in most cases.
But as with the jaw lump itself, lymph node swelling can also be a sign of cancer. As a result, if the swelling persists for longer than two to four weeks, you should consult your doctor immediately.
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Lipoma:
Lipoma is a benign tumor that can develop anywhere in the body that contains adipose tissue. Adipose tissues are defined as the connective tissues that consist of mostly fat cells.
Lipoma feels soft and can move slightly when it is pressed upon. They most commonly appear on the chest, neck, thighs and armpits. Although lipomas on the jaw are rarer, they’re not unheard of.
As a lipoma is considered an innocuous tumor, this particular cause for a lump on your jaw is generally considered harmless as long as it remains painless.
However, if your lipoma causes pain and discomfort, you should seek a professional opinion.
Jaw cysts:
Cysts are capsule-like structures that contain a liquid, semisolid or gaseous material. They can grow anywhere on the body and that doesn’t exclude the jaw.
Much like lipomas, jaw cysts are generally benign. Swelling is a common symptom and you should not be too worried if the cysts are painless.
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Salivary Gland Enlargement:
Salivary gland enlargement occurs due to the swelling of the salivary gland which is also known as sialadenitis. Caused by infections, salivary gland stones and autoimmune diseases, sialadenitis usually goes away in a week.
There are three major salivary glands and submandibular glands, located below the jaw in the back of the mouth, are responsible for the lump on your jaw.
Swollen salivary glands often go away on their own with minimal treatment. However, if you experience symptoms like pain, fever or difficulty swallowing along with the swelling, you should consult your healthcare provider immediately.
Infected or swollen salivary glands often go away on their own or with conservative treatment. But if you have lingering symptoms, such as swelling, pain, fever or difficulty swallowing, call your healthcare provider right away. You may need emergency treatment.
Malignant Tumors:
As aforementioned, malignant tumors are the most frightening cause for the movable lump on your jaw. Although jaw cancer is very rare, it presents a very real threat.
As with all forms of cancer, catching jaw cancer in its early stages is essential. These are some other symptoms that accompany jaw cancer:
- Mouth sores that don’t heal and bleed easily.
- Patches(red or white) in your mouth.
- Having trouble swallowing.
- Difficulty opening your mouth.
Even if the lump in your jaw is not caused by cancer, you need to consult a doctor if the lump doesn’t disappear in more than two weeks.
You can book a consultation here!
