Hi. I'm only 20 and Ive got severel lumps in my mouth, I have a hard lump which is rather big under my tongue - like at the floor of my mouth, you have to press down hard to feel it. Ive had two mouth ulcers on either cheek that havent healed for a few years, i didnt worry about them until now because I went to see my docotor when I first noticed them and he said they would go away - they havent lol. I got another lump that i noticed a few months ago, I think it might of been an abyss that hasnt healed properly or something. My mouth is numb, I can sctrach my gums without feeling it. But the thing is I had really really bad dental hygene growing up, and my back teeth are all rotted so could all these symptoms and lumps and stuff be caused by the really bad teeth or is it something more serious. I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong section or if its inappropriate for this kind of forum I'm just really worried.

Thank ya

Hi Sacky, you should go and get it checked out really. It would probably put your mind at rest and the problems may just be general dental problems. Why take a chance and ignore the symptoms though. Hagg.

Hi Sacky

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I agree with Hagg totally. My teeth were craptastic, too--but then, I hadn't been to the dentist since Reagan was in the White House. You really ought to go to the dentist if only to rule out cancer. Do you have ear pain? Trouble talking or eating? Do any of the sores in your mouth itch?

Honestly, you've come to the right place for this type of concern. Please let us know how things turn out with the dentist.

Julia

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post ^.^

and theres no trouble with eating or anything else that you mentioned. I wouldn't be so concerned about it if it wasn't for the fact that i've had these lumps for a long time and appartenly ulcers and such are supposed to heal after a few weeks, but the main thing is the numbness, I can't find any other reason for it on the internet other than cancer? But like ive said ive had a few of these lumps for a few years, so does that probably mean its not cancer? I would of been to the dentist already instead of asking questions on the internet it's just that I'm too ashamed because of the state of my back teeth - there beyond craptastic lmao - and the dentist will probably insist that they pull the really bad ones out. Can I just go to my GP about the lumps and numbess or will he just send me to the dentist?

I tend to shy away from internet research--it usually presents the worst case scenario, and, when you're already worried, seeing things like cancer, prognosis grim, et c., et c., is the last thing you want or need to see.

Trust me, Sacky, yours are probably not the worst teeth your dentist will have seen. As long as it had been between visits for me, I really was convinced that I'd be wearing dentures when all was said and done. I was remarkably surprised to learn that I needed three extractions and a redone root canal (decidedly the worst of the procedures--spent that weekend feeling like I'd been kicked in the jaw).

I'm not sure which doctor you should see first, but by all means see someone. Dentists have become really proactive at checking for oral cancer, but many GP's don't seem familiar with it at all. Most of my treatment has been by otolaryngologists at a local teaching hospital.

Sorry I couldn't give you any more specific information.

Hi! Sacky,
If your concern is the dentist seeing the condition of your teeth then I believe you are being a bit silly BECAUSE you must look at the worst case scenario and "What if" the lumps are the dreaded "C", putting it off over a little bit of embarresment could worsen the problem.
Go and see a DEntist that specialises in Oral Cancer, it may be just bad hygiene BUT..... and if it is bad hygiene then whats a little bit of embarresment???.
Sorry for being BLUNT but having gone down the throat cancer route any lumps or areas of concern I am off to the specialists for a check up and it's all done through the public system so no cost.
Keep us up to date and trust me with the members on this site you can let go any embarresment on the keyboard.
TREV

Well said, Trev.

HI Sacky

I have just read your post. I am new to this forum and just wanted to let you know. Please please go and check it out. I dont want to scare you but my mum had an ulcer, then 2 then 3. They wouldnt go away and she went to the doctors 4 times before they eventually sent her to hospital to check it out. It turned out to be a tumour and she had to have it cut out. This was in September. She had half her tongue removed aswel as her glands as a precaution. She now has to be fed by a tube as she cant eat, her bottom teeth have been removed because she is having radiotherapy plus her face doesnt look like it used to. She has been doing really well and has been on a bit of a high as she lost 3 stone because of being fed by a tube. silly but true. Anyway she started her radiotherapy last week and we had the worst news ever. The cancer had returned and aggresively. She now has terminal squamous cell cancer and has 6 months to live. SO whatever you do tommorow - make that appointment. I promise you - i would hate to hear of anyone stranger or not to go through what my mum has.

Thanks