my daughter (8) has had a swollen face on one side for around 12 weeks now. after 3 trips to her dentist it was noticed she had ulceration along that side of her mouth where the gum meets cheek iyswim. she was prescribed orabase. i sued this 2 x daily for 2 weeks after which we saw dentist again and the ulceration had diminished but not gone entirely. so another week of 4 x daily and back after 2 weeks to dentist and referral to maxillofacial specialist as the ulceration still although smaller still was not gone. so 4 weeks later and appointment next week i am terrified. my dd was in tears last night due to the pain and swelling. we have started using orabase again last night. could this be "c" ? what is going to happen at the consult next week
i am dental phobic and so scared my daughter has "c" please anybody advise?

Hi concerned mum

An oral cancer in an eight year old presenting as an ulcer in the buccal sulcus is very rare. I would not think she had a cancer. The swelling and ulceration could have been caused by an infected tooth or trauma (crisp, other object) but your dentist should be able to tell if this so and treat accordingly. The delayed healing of an ulcer could be caused by irritation as could occur if your daughter has kept putting her finger there to check it out. I have come across cases where the finger nail has dug into the gum and caused an ulcer that failed to heal! My advice: keep the area clean, avoid crisps and hard food that could irritate the ulcer and leave it alone. The orabase acts to protect it so that it is more comfortable to eat.

Let us know how it turns out.

Best wishes
Vinod

thank you very much for the reply dr vinod. i forgot to mention my daughter also has a very slight ulceration along the other side also, same position, under the 2nd or 3rd lower tooth from front (excuse my lack of knowledge of names) again on the area near to where gum meets cheek. that has healed much better.
thats is the only thing makes me feel it couldnt be "c" surely it would not affect both sides at the same time???. her last dental check before problems was in august 2004. she has very badly aligned top teeth and they do make her lower lip sore where they press onto it. her teeth will need extensive orthadontic treatment later on

update

the consultant said he thinks its trauma as it is on both sides of the mouth. toothbrushing etc
not at all concerned about anything more sinister
thank you for your reply dr vinod
good luck to everyone on this site