Published on: 3/5/2025
Sometimes small bumps on the inside of your lip are normal, like minor canker sores or effects from slight irritation. However, if they are painful, persist for a long time, or change in appearance, you should have them checked by a healthcare provider.
Bumps on the inside of your lip can occur for many harmless reasons. For example, many people get canker sores, which are small, shallow ulcers that can appear when you accidentally bite your lip or experience stress. These are common and usually go away on their own. Other times, friction from braces or sharp teeth can cause irritation that leads to small bumps. Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia is another condition sometimes seen inside the mouth, although it typically forms on the roof of the mouth due to ill-fitting dentures rather than on the lip. Conditions like oral leukoplakia or lichen planus can also lead to changes in the mouth lining, and sometimes appear as bumps or patches, but these are less common and usually have other distinct features. In many cases, a few bumps on the inside of your lip are normal and may not be a cause for concern. However, if you notice that the bumps are becoming larger, more painful, or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is a good idea to ask a healthcare provider for an evaluation. This ensures that you receive proper attention and guidance.
(References)
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Canker sores (mouth ulcers) [Updated 2022 Oct 17].Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546250/
Gual-Vaqués P, Jané-Salas E, Egido-Moreno S, Ayuso-Montero R, Marí-Roig A, López-López J. Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia: A systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017 Jan 1;22(1):e36-e42. doi: 10.4317/medoral.21405. PMID: 27918740; PMCID: PMC5217495.
Mohammed F, Fairozekhan AT. Oral Leukoplakia. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Arnold DL, Krishnamurthy K. Lichen Planus. [Updated 2024 Oct 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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