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Original poster

Photo warning!! Can anyone tell me what is on the roof of my mouth?

59 replies

haaaaaaalp · 04/02/2022 20:20

About 3 years ago I cut the roof of my mouth at the front with some sharp food.

Occasionally it will flare up with what feels like an ulcer which will bleed when I eat etc (which is sort of impossible not to do!!) And always in the same spot. Usually it's annoying but goes after about 2 weeks.

It's been there this time since about 2 weeks ago and it isn't going. I went to the dentist in November and she saw it when it wasn't flared up (it's always a bit red just not as big) and said does this ulcer hurt? And at the time it didn't so I said no.

It's quite irritating because of where it is in my mouth and when I google I just get mouth cancer as a result and loads of horrible pictures that don't look like what I have and I end up stressing myself out.

I can't really afford to go to the dentist as I have to pay private prices. My GP is pretty crap but I'm going to try them next week even though I'm pretty sure they will fob me off as they never seem to see anyone face to face.

For info I am 9 weeks pregnant. And I also tend to sleep with my mouth open which I am sure doesn't help healing.

I apologise for the photo - it was so awkward trying to take it but also I find the insides of peoples mouths disgusting so I do not blame you for thinking that too!

Photo warning!! Can anyone tell me what is on the roof of my mouth?
OP posts:
Saltyquiche · 05/02/2022 10:22

Can you request a b12 blood test Monday if it’s not on the list?

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 05/02/2022 11:00

Yes I'll ask on Monday for sure

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 09:22

Well I couldn't go when I wanted to because I got Covid and then my husband did too. Managed to get an appointment today and am completely freaking out

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 14:00

Appointment at 2:30. Thinking the worst

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 14:56

Well that really was no good. He said he was a paramedic I think. He sort of said hmm looks a bit like a (something - couldn't understand) and then asked me to send a photo which I've done and then he will ask one of the other doctors if I need referring to maxillofacial or blood tests doing (how many more omg my arm is so bruised!) but he didn’t think they’d do anything now anyway because I’m pregnant. He also said they'd decide if it could turn into something more sinister. So.... no answer at all :(

OP posts:
Drivingish · 28/02/2022 15:09

DD had something very similar, went through GP rather than dentist even though it was a mouth thing, they referred her to hospital who removed it under GA to check if it was cancerous, it wasn't and they weren't really bothered what it was after that. She had a hole in the roof of her mouth for a little while and had to wear a plate to avoid food etc getting in which was a little unpleasant (not just for me having to clean it!) but nothing too horrific - she's a self-described wimp and didn't find it too painful or sore - having to wear the plate as a thumb sucker was the worst for her so try not to worry too much atm.

000YourMum000 · 28/02/2022 15:22

Sounds a bit fuzzy to me. If you have not got a clear answer by the end of the week, please make another apptmt, insist on seeing a GP, be clear that you are not satisfied with not knowing what it is, and ask for a referral to a specialist who will be able to diagnose this. You must not feel bad/guilty/selfish for this. I work in a GP surgery and unfortunately you have to look out for yourself. No one is sat around thinking “I wonder if @haaaaaaalp is okay with her mouth”. Keep pushing and well done for today. Must have been scary x

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 16:42

He called me as I was doing the school run so I struggled to hear but I think he is referring me to maxillofacial. I pray it doesn't need anything awful doing to it. I have such a severe fear of hospitals that I don't know how I would cope. Sort of wish I hadn't asked about it now.

I'm calling the surgery now to confirm that's what he said

OP posts:
BeanAnTae · 28/02/2022 16:49

haaaaaaalp - no you did the right thing getting it checked out. I had to get a red lump checked on my lip at Maxillofacial and they were lovely. I don't like getting things checked out but I find that the drs always like you to get checked to be sure all is okay - they play safe. Anyway the thing with my lip was benign. I understand why you are nervous and I am that way myself but you are doing the right thing.

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 16:58

I have issues with people touching my mouth in the first place so I'm just worried about having to go somewhere and they put instruments in my mouth. They'd have to knock me out I think! Everything I google (yes I know I shouldn't...) has horrible photos and mine doesn't look anything like any of them! I'm hoping they'll say it isn't anything and it'll go when I'm not pregnant or whatever. Just horrible :(

OP posts:
Angrymum22 · 28/02/2022 16:59

It could be associated with one of your teeth. The fact it comes and goes suggests a chronic abscess or infected gum. Because it is chronic it doesn’t cause pain in your tooth. The infection has formed a pressure release valve and drains through the palate.
Did your dentist X-ray the area?
Unfortunately the maxilla facial surgeon will not be able to fully investigate it with an X-ray because you are pregnant.
It can be treated so don’t worry.

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 17:13

They did. And that was in November 🤷‍♀️

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 17:23

Just spent 44 minutes on hold waiting for the gp surgery to pick up, when they did they couldn't hear me and then hung up. I give up.

OP posts:
HelloMama · 28/02/2022 17:31

I wonder if it could be erosive oral lichen planus? dermnetnz.org/topics/erosive-lichen-planus
This is a skin condition that comes and goes (often at times of stress / low immunity) and characterised by that kind of lesion on the oral or genital skin. It's can be treated with steroids but would need to be diagnosed, usually by a dentist, who would often be able to just look at confirm that's what it is. Occasionally a biopsy is taken to confirm the diagnosis if it is 100% certain.

HelloMama · 28/02/2022 17:33

If it's *not 100% certain

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 17:35

I'm not sure. It doesn't look quite right in the photos to me.

Just had a good cry in the kitchen hiding from dd. Just thinking the absolute worst and the gp surgery is just so unhelpful.

OP posts:
20viona · 28/02/2022 18:49

Hi OP I'm a maxillofacial nurse, pic isn't great but that doesn't look like a typical oral cancer so I really wouldn't worry about that. Nor does it look like lichen planus really!

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 19:00

Thank you so much for your response, it's really helped me calm a bit 💜 @20viona

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Angrymum22 · 28/02/2022 20:41

Dentist here. It doesn’t look like anything nasty. It looks inflammatory, it may still be tooth related even if you had an X-ray.
You say it started after trauma when eating, the other thing that may be causing it is a foreign object. They don’t show up on X-ray but when embedded in the gum initially cause pain, the body grows a protective layer of granulation tissue around them in an attempt to move them to the surface. The angle of the photo doesn’t give a good view. But there is also some inflammation up against the tooth.
It could also be due to hormone levels.
Please do not google. Try to take a few photos from various angles so if it has disappeared when you see maxfac surgeon they have an idea what it looks like.
It is not lichen planus.
It may be viral such as herpes simplex. These do produce ulcer like lesions on the palate usually in the same place ( they occur at the terminal end of nerves so would usually be in roughly the same place.

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 20:51

Thank you so much for your response, that's given me a lot of hope. I'm hoping it'll be something as easy as that. I'll keep taking photos of it as much as I can so I've got any changes too.

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 21:09

@Angrymum22 sorry forgot to tag. Thanks again

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Angrymum22 · 28/02/2022 21:11

I was just coming back to suggest pyogenic granuloma. They occur after trauma and frequently seen in pregnancy.
I couldn’t remember whether they were just a feature of pregnancy but that isn’t the case.
Because your palate continually takes a battering they form when an ulcerated area only partially heals before being damaged again. The gum just over reacts by forming a thicker layer of granulation tissue to protect the area.
It’s sounds scary but it isn’t.

Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 28/02/2022 21:36

Thanks so much that's been really helpful, I'm much less panicked now. The internet is a blessing and a curse! @Angrymum22

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 06/03/2022 20:16

So it started bleeding again today, woke up this morning and there it was. And then again right when I was enjoying my pub lunch :( totally ruined. Mouth full of blood. Couldn't speak to anyone I was with because of it. Awful.

Anyway, he's 'sent a letter of Advice and Guidance to Maxfax'

This is how it is after todays debacle. I've been so careful for so long and thought maybe it was getting better.

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Original poster
haaaaaaalp · 07/03/2022 13:04

I pray it goes back again soon. Such a horrible thing to happen

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