Dh has an ulcer that's been on his tongue for a while r

[beanbagyellow]

How worried should I be? Its been about 3.5 months.
When I'm googling about it I'm getting worried. Obviously I know the golden rule is never to Google these things but it seems quite the consensus that you're not supposed to wait once it's been there a while.

I think getting it seen as soon as possible would be sensible.
Our gps would probably say to send a picture.

Does he have any food sensitivities or take any medication? That's what brings mine on and they take ages to disappear. If I continued to ingest the substance causing the problem, I guess it would take forever.

Even a dentist is able to diagnose oral cancer. Of course I’d be concerned, I’d be concerned after 1 week as the mouth heals very quickly.

Even with poor oral hygiene, ulcers should heal within a couple of weeks. This needs checking ASAP.

A dentist rather than a gp would be my recommendation

My dad had non healing mouth ulcers, the dentist referred him very swiftly to the dental hospital where he had a biopsy and it turned out to be an auto immune condition which was then managed by a specialist

Thanks I will get him to book the dentist. I didn't realise a dentist could refer. Our GP receptionist said as it's been there that long it's not urgent so have to wait weeks for appointment.

@beanbagyellow please don't accept that from the receptionist. Your husband is entitled to see a doctor and how can anyone say if it's urgent or not, based on the fact they've not seen it?

I'd call back and ask for a speedier appointment and also make an appointment with a dentist asap too

Definitely the dentist - any ulcer that's been there for more than 3 weeks need investigating as a matter of urgency, specially if it isn't painful.
A GP probably won't know what they're looking at anyway.

Not to worry you, but DHs ulcer turned out to be cancer. The dentist spotted it not quickly enough.
Get it checked out.

What do you mean 'even a dentist'??? Dentists spend 5 years at university learning everything about mouths as well as teeth, and definitely know far more about oral cancer than a GP.

Well that is the most twatish comment. How the fuck does she know.

When you book the dentist tell them how long it’s been there and you’re worried it’s cancer. That should be an urgent appointment to have it checked/referred to be checked in hospital.

I was referred to the local dental hospital after my dentist saw something on my tongue. It wasn’t anything to worry about in the end. If they send him on a two week wait, try not to panic. Depending on how it looks, he might tick enough boxes for an urgent referral.

Please complain about that receptionist. It’s dangerous advice that she needs to be told to stop giving.

What do you mean 'even a dentist'???
I was a bit 😮 at that comment too!

Indeed they are surgeons, not mere doctors.

My niece, who is 40 has just finished chemotherapy for oral cancer that was caught by finding something that sounds similar. I would really get it looked at.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-ulcers/ see a GP or dentist if you have a mouth ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks

Our GP receptionist said as it's been there that long it's not urgent so have to wait weeks for appointment That is a disgrace, please do complain about that, what a stupid, careless person. They should be fired for that.

Obviously get it checked by a professional but I thought I'd add that I had an ulcer that wouldn't heal for ages and it turned out it was from my stupid toothbrush which had a rubber tongue scraper thing and was just too big for my mouth.

Also has he tried Corsodyl?

He has booked the dentist thank you. I am worried but at least it's getting checked.

He doesn't drink or smoke so I'm hoping it's nothing really serious.

Especially a dentist.

It could be caused by a damage tooth as mine was

It’s most likely nothing to worry about but it needs looking at to make sure.