Do I need a doctor or a dentist?

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

I get a sore patch on the side of my tongue. It comes and goes, and now I think about it, has done for well over a year now.
It's usually just a white patch, and a bit sore for a couple of days then goes away.
Anyway, it's back, it's bigger (about 5p piece size) and bloody hurts.
Do I go to the doctor or the dentist about it?
I smoke and drink if that's relevant.
(I know it's relevant, am quietly shitting myself)

Dentist! Could be geographic tongue which they do nothing about. Could do a biopsy to see if there is anything nasty! The sooner you go the better!

I would go to the doctor first as if it is something serious the dentist will only refer you to go to doctor anyhow
Good luck hope it's nothing to serious x

You can see either a doctor at a dentist about white patches in the mouth. If they are going away it's probably nothing to worry about but definitely get it checked. White patches that don't go away can be a sign of leukoplakia so please do get them checked.

OP google oral Lichen Planus images - check and see if it matches what you have. I have it, it does come and go and is worsened if I am stressed

A dentist wouldn't just refer you to a GP if it needed a follow up. They can refer you to a dental hospital so it shouldn't be a wasted trip. So it all depends on who you prefer and who you can see first or at the most convenient time.

My dentist diagnosed lichen planus and what you describe sounds similar. He referred me to the hospital for a biopsy just to check and he monitors it at my regular check ups. Mine flares up if I’m unwell, eat too much rough or spicy food or change toothpaste.

Dentist, expert on the mouth and what's ok, or needs further assessment. Doctors do the rest of the body!

The dentist usually takes about six weeks to get an appointment. Doctor can be same day to a fortnight depending.
I'll have a Google, then phone both, describe it and ask them I think since there's no prevailing opinions

Dentist definitely. They will routinely refer to oral med dept or similar as necessary so will be quicker than gp. If you explain problem to dental surgery when you phone and say you are worried etc. you shouldn't have to wait 6 weeks for an appointment.

If you’ve had it over a year why does another 6 weeks matter?

Another vote for dentist. My husband had similar and they referred him for a biopsy just to be on safe side but have confirmed lichen planus.
I guess a GP should also be able to refer though?

Dentist

They generally know much more about the mouth than Drs and will refer you to oral med if necessary

Ring up and explain and they should fit you in sooner than 6 weeks

If it's coming and going I wouldn't worry too much, but dentist is definitely the best bet

Absolutely dentist! If its anything of concern they can fast track you to a specialist.
Make an emergency appointment.

@passthecherrycoke Because I saw a poster on the side of the bus with a picture that looks just like it, warning about mouth cancer, and this time ( drip feed, sorry!) it has a little black dot in the middle and hurts more than it ever has before.
Dentist it is then.

Usually dentists have some appointments they can fit you in quicker so they may give you one of those if you tell them it is a lesion

Ask for an emergency appointment with your dentist. Say you are worried about a recurring lesion. They should fit you in quickly if you explain. Dentists are much better at diagnosing mouth issues as they are looking in mouths all day everyday and they are used to looking at and identifying oral lesions. Also if they have any concerns they can refer to the hospital under the 2 week referral system.