<s>[INST] My nine year old daughter has painful, swollen gums (a nodule) right behind her two top front teeth - over the past few months this nodule comes and goes, usually lasting about a week.  I want to know what causes it and what can be done to prevent it from returning. [/INST] Thanks for your query, I have gone through your query. The nodule or a lump behind the front teeth could be a periapical abscess or a periodontal abscess secondary to tooth or gum infection. Consult an oral physician and get a radiograph done to rule out gum or tooth infection. If there is a tooth infection we can treat the tooth with RCT. If there is gum infection, then you have to get your teeth cleaned along with a course of antibiotics. I hope my answer will help you, take care. </s>