Hi, I was wondering what you guys thought about a bump that's recently developed on the floor of my mouth, about a centimeter behind the gum margin of my teeth, just to the right of my frenulum. I'm 28, male, non-smoker, light drinker.

It's painless but feels pretty prominent when I feel it with my tongue. I can also feel it with my finger. It's about the size of a pinhead. It's not discolored, so it's hard to take a picture of it, but if you look at it closely from an angle you can see it protruding slightly. It actually feels a lot like when you bite down on your inside lip and feel all those little bumps.

Is this something I should get checked? I would feel pretty stupid if it turned out to be nothing. I know mouths are full of similar bumps, but this one just appeared a few weeks ago.

Thanks in advance.

Hi eyk

Better safe than sorry--get it checked out. If it is cancer (or any other disease) the sooner treatment can start, and the greater likelihood of a good outcome. If it's not--MERRY CHRISTMAS! Honestly, knowing is better than not knowing.

I don't smoke, rarely drink, yet, TA-DAAH!, I had tongue cancer. Unfortunately, cancer doesn't discriminate.

Please let us know how things turn out for you.

Julia

Hi Julia,

Appreciate your response. I have an appointment with the dentist in about three weeks and I might point it out...but I'd just feel so stupid spending 15 minutes trying to get him to see this thing only for it to be nothing.

Hi eyk

I'd feel more relieved than stupid if it turned out to be nothing. You're right, it might be nothing, but on the off chance that it's not, the earlier it can be treated, the better off you'll be in the long run. Please do bring it to your dentist's attention.

Julia

Hi, Eyk,

Julia's completely right. Don't wait 3 weeks until your dentist's appointment. Try to have an earlier one. If it's not cancer, you'll save yourself doubts and anguish. If it is, you will gain valuable time.

All the best

Shoshana

Hi eyk

Hope you didn't get socked too badly by the snow. My sister and her family live in Springfield and they had so much snow that my younger niece couldn't even fall down.

Did you manage to get your dental appointment moved up?

Try to have a merry Christmas.

Julia

Hi! Small world...I haven't seen this much snow in our area for at least 15 years. I grew up in Falls Church.

I did see the dentist earlier, just a few days ago. Unfortunately, I'm still in a state of uncertainty. She says that it might be a blocked salivary duct, but that if it doesn't go away by the new year, I should have it biopsied. And I doubt it'll go away...it's only gotten bigger over about a week and now stable for maybe 3 days.

So now I get to have it on the back of my mind all through the holidays. Even if the odds are long, the uncertainty is killing me!

Happy holidays to you...appreciate your asking.

Hi Eyk,

I know it's not easy waiting but you are doing all the right things. When I first started having problems I looked up the original meaning of the word "patient", that made me smile?

Enjoy your Christmas and hopefully in a short time it will be all good news.

Wishing you all the best

Ken