Gum lesion?

[anxiousanniethefirst]

Sorry for the really grim picture that I’ve included.
I know I shouldn’t ask for medical advice on here but I can’t currently get a drs or dentist appointment (not registered!!)

but does anyone know what this could be? It’s flat with red edges and almost white/cream in the middle. It’s been there for around a month, it’s not painful at all and doesn’t look as though it’s grown.

@anxiousanniethefirst I can't tell where it is in your picture is in relation as your image is too cropped. Have you put a filter on the image as your gums look really pale.
The most likely thing is it's a draining sinus from a dead tooth. You'll need to see a dentist to deal with that.

I’m not great at navigating this app, this picture may be better?

You need to get that checked by a dentist, and soon as it's been there some time. Any local dentist should be able to offer an emergency appointment.

That’s an abcess , most likely the nerve from the tooth underneath has died and become infected.

You need to make it a priority to make an appointment to see a dentist as the tooth will need root treatment , if possible. A doctor will not be able to do anything for you. An emergency appointment with a dentist is not enough to sort this. You need a check up and course of treatment.

Ask friends and family for dentist recommendations.

Would that not cause pain? As there is zero pain at all; wouldn’t even know it wad there had I not been pulling some silly face in the mirror at my children

I’ve tried our local dentist but none have spaces.
I could try some near by towns to see if they could possibly see me soon

Could you make an appointment with a private dentist as a one off?

No as the abcess is draining , that white spot is a sinus tract and will burst every now and again.
Eventually , though , things will build up and you will get pain and possible damage to other teeth so it needs sorting before then.

Yup, that’s an abscess. The reason there is no pain is that the root has died. You cannot leave it. Root canal or extraction probably. And I speak from bitter experience having had 3 of the damn things 🙄

Won’t do much good as this needs treating which will be a series of appointments . OP needs to get registered with a dentist.

I would make getting a dentist a priority before this flares up and causes big problems .

It's a sinus tract from a chronically infected tooth

An abscess is a collection of pus, it causes pain due to the pressure of the fluid up. In this case there's no collection of pus as it's draining, so no pressure build up.

You need to find a dentist for either root canal or extraction. An emergency dentist could extract but if you want to save the tooth you need to find a regular dentist

They aren’t even taking on private patients!! It’s impossible. I’ve been on the waiting list for around 8 months.
I’ll call around some of the neighbouring towns tomorrow during work if I can, as I can afford to pay privately if someone can see me. Perhaps even a hygienist appointment as they may insist on further treatment 🤞
the tooth it’s above is a crown and had root canal treatment approx 13/14 years ago.

You need to look further afield. There will be a dentist taking on private patients

A hygenist won't be helpful as they can't extract or carry out root canal treatment

Hygienist will not be able to do anything.

If this is a previously root treated tooth that has now flared up this complicates things as until you have x rays taken it’s impossible to say what’s going on but it may not be as simple as a re root treatment , you may need specialist treatment or the tooth may need to come out .

Ring around and ask people for their recommendations . This is not going to be a problem sorted in one appointment.

because I'm super paranoid with health anxiety, I was thinking hygienist to rule out anything untoward as I’ve got myself in a right panic about it.

I will phone, explain the situation and see what the receptionist recommends. Perhaps they can do an initial appointment and X-rays to see what’s what.

I don’t think a hygienist is appropriately qualified for anything in this situation. You need an actual dentist with 5 years of training.

There will be an NHS one somewhere near you who can help, or in extremis a private one. I appreciate this is more difficult if you are very remote or rural. In a major conurbation, you will have no real issues.

good luck - seems like agreement on this thread that this is a draining abscess: unpleasant but routine and easily sorted out.

In some areas 111 can assist with dental problems - in some areas they can book emergency appointments. In my area they can only do this out of hours so after 5pm and at weekends

This really cannot be sorted in one appointment. Op is going to need a course of treatment and 111 cannot sort that out . Unfortunately a draining sinus will also not meet the criteria for most emergency services which are there to deal with acute problems.

NHS does say GP or dentist for an ulcer lasting more than 3 weeks. That might get you seen at least to rule out anything nasty and settle your anxiety

GPs are not the people for lesions in the mouth. They have a couple of hours training at most . A dentist spends their entire career studying oral medicine.

However this lesion also needs treatment so a dentist to both see and treat it is necessary.

I have never seen a draining abscess,but my Mum had mouth cancer. It did look a bit like this (though I see your lesion is quite red around the base which I don't think hers was)
So not wanting to be scaremongering but I would want a dentist to check that ASAP, to confirm what it is.
Is there an emergency NHS dental service in your area?
I would totally defer to anyone on the thread who is actually a dentist though!

@celandiney there are at least 3 posters who are dentists. They have posted on other threads and their answers are way too detailed to not be dental healthcare professionals.
I think we all avoid saying we're dentists as frankly anyone can say they are and there is no way anyone can check.

Is anyone actually a dentist who has commented here?

@anxiousanniethefirst yup I am. It's a draining sinus and needs a dentist to deal with it. It's not urgent but won't heal without either root canal treatment if appropriate or an extraction. As @Lollygaggle said you need a proper assessment with a dentist treatment planning and it will need a series of appointments.