Treatment: Your dental professional or physician will most likely recommend surgical removal, which might include removing nearby teeth, tissue, or jawbone. A pathologist will examine the removed tissue to confirm the tumor is benign or malignant. Depending on the growth's size and impact, you might also require surgery to reconstruct the jawbone or other parts of the mouth.
Cancer
Cancerous lumps can also form along the jawbone. Though these cancerous growths are more likely to affect older adults, they can appear at any age. The lumps usually feel hard and are not tender or painful to the touch. Cancer can cause a lump to form near your chin in several ways:
- By affecting a nearby organ, such as the mouth, throat, thyroid, or salivary glands.
- By spreading from a different organ to the lymph nodes.
- Through nonmelanoma skin cancer.
- Through sarcoma or lymphoma.
Treatment: If you are diagnosed with a cancerous tumor, your physician might recommend chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery to remove the lump. Your health, the type of cancer, and its progress will all inform your treatment plan.
Other Causes
Other causes for a lump on the jawline not indicated above could include:
When Should You See a Doctor for Lump Under Jawline?
In some cases, a lump along the jawline will go away on its own. Contact your dentist or physician immediately if the lump is:
- Painful
- Growing
- Unexplained
- Present for more than two weeks
- Accompanied by weight loss or fever
- Causing difficulty breathing or swallowing
Your dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon, oral pathologist, or a head and neck surgeon for further examination.
Sometimes the lump cannot be prevented. However, you can practice good oral hygiene to help prevent abscessed teeth. You can also reduce your risk of oral cancer through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and minimizing alcohol consumption. Seeing your dentist at least twice a year can also help identify any problems as early.
Before you begin to worry, check for the warning signs listed above, and make an appointment to see your dentist. They can help identify the cause and create a treatment plan so your jawline returns to normal as quickly as possible.