Hey everyone, I'm new here, my name is Cheryl. I'm here because I'm extremely worried about a small lump at the base of my tongue on the left side. I noticed it about a year ago when I kept feeling like there was something caught in my throat. Last April I began having a toothache and then proceeded to make an appointment with my dentist who ended up pulling a bottom molar on the left side. About a month passed and I was still feeling like I had a tooth ache at which time my dentist referred me to an oral surgeon who then removed the top molar on the left side. After a few weeks, I KNEW the pain should have been gone, but it continued. I've gone back to the oral surgeon on 3 separate occasions, each time I was told I should not still be having pain. To this day I am STILL having pain in my gums and jaw, it's not quite as bad as it was and doesn't come everyday like when I first got the teeth pulled, but when it does come, I'm brought to tears and I take truckloads of acetaminophne and motrin, which by the way barely helps. The past couple of months I've noticed pain in my left ear, throat and at the base of my skull on the left side. I also get body aches and nauseusness quite often. Up till now I have yet to do anything about these symptoms, besides the visits to the oral surgeon that is, which proved to be useless. Not sure if it's because I'm in denial, just plain scared or a combination of the two.

I would very much appreciate anyone's input on this matter. Do my symtoms sound familiar to anyone, if so, what should be my next step? I know I need to see a doctor, but should I start with my general practitioner or other area of expertise, such as eye, ear, nose and throat? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Cheryl

Cheryl

Has your dentist or oral surgeon mentioned a dry socket? Its very common after a molar extraction it is very painful!It is when a clot doesn't form over the extraction and the bone is exposed. Your other symptons need to be checked out by your doctor. Don't know about the practice in the States but in the uk you have to see a gp first to be referred. The only way to stop worrying is to get it checked. Thats the hard part once you know what you have it gets muuch easier whatever it may be. Good luck

Anne

Yes Ann, as a matter of fact I did have a dry socket and the oral surgeon packed it and sewed it up on 3 different occasions. That was back in April though, I didn't think it should still be hurting.

Oh and I don't need referrals for my insurance company to see specialists, that why I was wondering where I should go first.

Hello Cheryl

There appear to be two concerns that you mentioned: (1) "a small lump at the base of my tongue on the left side, noticed about a year ago when you kept feeling like there was something caught in your throat" and (2)"STILL having pain in my gums and jaw, despite having had two teeth pulled, with now pain in my left ear, throat and at the base of my skull on the left side"

My suggestion for (1) if there is lump at the back of the tongue, ask the dentist what it could be. It might be (and probably is in view of it having been there for a year and not growing more troublesome) a normal structure but this needs a diagnosis.
My suggestion for (2) is that the aches and pains in the ear, throat, jaw and back of head/neck could be symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder with myofascial pain. My advice is to get checked for temporomandibular disorder with myofascial pain. Click for more info.

Let me know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

I am new here and trying to find some ifo as are others. A routine dental check up and a visit by my oral hygenist instructed me to go to an Oral Surgeon. The concern was for a small white lesion on the left side of my tongue which has been rubbing on my molar which has to capped. The Oral Surgeon checked everything out, pulling my tongue out of my mouth and checking every area with a bright light. He says everything is a normal. 5 days after the examination, I decided to have another look with my flashlight..
On the same side but further back on the left side of the tongue where it almost reaches the cheek is a small lump or bump, a little larger than the bumps at the top back of the tongue. It looks completely clean. No bleeding or discolouration or jagged edges.
My tooth does not touch that area. I could be wrong. Its not sore unless I play around always looking at it. It feels alot less painful than an ulser would. It doesn't bother other than knowing its there. Now, Why wouldn't the Oral Surgeon not say anything unless he thought nothing of it. I am hoping he did not miss anything. It would be impossible not to miss it because he had my whole tongue in his finger. The size has not changed at all in week after me noticing it. Any advice would be appreciated.
I am a 38 year old male. I have never touched a cigarette in my life nor do I drink other than occasion. I am generally a very health conscious person with no history of Cancer in our families.
I am wondering if I should ask for another appointment.

Hi, I'm not sure how your health service works, and I don't want to give you advice that could cost you a lot of money. You are obviously worried about your mouth and this concern probably started when you were referred to the Oral Surgeon. I woukd keep an eye on the situation, and if you see any change in the size of the bump then go back to your doctor or dentist and ask them to look at it. If you are still concerned then it could be worth getting things checked out for your own peace of mind.

Hello CGK68

There are normal lumps at the back of the tongue like lingual tonsils and circumvallate papillae. . These are not necessarrily symmetrical and so one can look larger than another. So that is why your Oral Surgeon might not have been concerned. It is best for you to see your dentist to confirm this for your own reassurance. Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,