Fibromas are growths that form in a person’s mouth in response to repeated injury, irritation or disease. These elevated areas of mostly scar tissue can appear anywhere inside the mouth, including on the tongue, lips, gums and inner cheeks. They can take months or even years to form.

Most fibromas occur as a result of repeatedly biting a certain area of the mouth. Excessive grinding of teeth (bruxism) and a rare genetic disorder called Cowen’s syndrome also are sometimes responsible for fibromas. Fibromas can occur in people of any age, but are most likely to affect adults. Fibromas affect males and females equally. 

In diagnosing fibromas, a dentist will carefully examine the tissue to see if it resembles a fibroma. The dentist also may ask about the patient’s oral habits, such as biting the lips and insides of the mouth or grinding teeth excessively.

Unless treated surgically, fibromas continue to grow and can interfere with a patient’s ability to eat or speak. Surgery to remove these lesions is usually safe and simple. However, the patient will have to modify the behavior that created the fibromas, or risk having them return.