I have the EXACT same thing as you- a small but well-defined red patch on my lower front gum, under and between several teeth. My dentist just referred me to get a biopsy done on mine. It's great to hear that yours wasn't cancer! What was it, though? I would love to hear what your red patch was in case mine is the same thing.

I have moved your post to its own thread. Where you posted previously, that member has not returned after making only a couple posts. Usually that leads us to believe there was nothing seriously wrong or they would have continued to ask questions.

Do you use tobacco products of any kind? If so, stop immediately and give your mouth a chance to heal itself. Tobacco, weather its chew or cigarettes is full of known cancer causing additives. If you drink alcohol of any form, stop drinking until you find out whats wrong. Alcohol will burn sensitive mouth tissue. Believe it or not, this includes strong mouthwash like Listerine so check the label for alcohol content.

It could be any number of things besides oral cancer. I hope its nothing serious! Get a biopsy and stay busy while you wait a week for the results.

Best wishes!!!

Hi Christine, no I have never tried a cigarette in my life, and drank only socially in the past and haven't had a drop in many years. Are you sure I should stop using Listerine? My dentist has always recommended I use it, and I've used it every day for about 10 years.

The small red patch sometimes bleeds a little when pressed. There is no pus or adjacent white areas, or any other symptoms to my knowledge. I'm just worried because it hasn't started healing at all. My dentist said if it hadn't been there for over a month he would have said it was probably just trauma. He recommends I have a biopsy. I'm very nervous and have been scouring the internet for what it could be.

I am positive you should avoid Listerine! Its full of alcohol. Listerine is ok if it is the kind that doesnt contain alcohol.

Any sore which has been in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer needs to be checked by a professional. That is an ENT or oral surgeon, they are more familiar than regular dentists with oral cancer and all the other things that are irregular. If this red patch has been in your mouth for over 2 weeks find yourself an ENT who specializes in oral cancer. Not saying thats what this is! Just that you dont want to end up with an ENT who specializes in putting tubes in kids ears.

Has your dentist or dental hygienist ever done an oral cancer screening on you? Thats where they pull your tongue out while holding it with a piece of gauze and they feel your neck. Every adult should have an oral cancer screening as part of every dental exam. If its not being done, ask for one. If your dental practice doesnt do them, then you are being short changed.

Try not to over google in these situations, all kinds of horror stories will come up. Im glad you found OCF, it have factual medical info and adheres to the Health on the Net Code which ensures correct medical info is given.

Try to stay busy, and keep your mind engaged in detail oriented tasks like reading to help you to avoid worrying.

Good luck!!!

Hi Christine,

I'll avoid the alcohol Listerine on your suggestion :-)
Connie from the other thread actually got back to me, and let me know that her diagnosis was actually a symptom of localized gum disease. I feel it's very likely that mine could be too, and that makes me feel somewhat relieved. I have an appointment for a biopsy in 4 weeks regardless, unless it happens to start healing on its own before then, which would be an excellent sign. My oral surgeon is highly rated, but no I've never actually had an oral cancer screening to my knowledge. I'll mention it to my dentist or ENT. I also have what I believe is an enlarged lymph node on my cheek, and another on my arm near the elbow, but both of those have been enlarged for over a year while this red patch only appeared a month ago. I will mention them to the ENT anyway. Thanks for your help, and I'll you updated!

Try rinsing your mouth at least 4 times per day with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp baking soda. The salt in there could burn a little but still rinse for at least 20 seconds. This mixture will help to neutralize the ph balance in your mouth while the rinse is good at healing mouth sores.

Im very surprised and happy that the other member got back to you! Very nice of them!

Definitely mention the enlarged lymph nodes. They could be a sign of an infection or any number of other issues. Good luck with this, please keep us posted!

Ok, I've started rinsing with the mixture you specified. The salt doesn't burn at all- is that bad? Wouldn't it burn if it was just gum disease? Do you think I should try hydrogen peroxide?

NO!!!!! That is not good to put in your mouth.

Dan,

My stage 1 cancer started as a well defined red spot on my soft palet. I would skip forward if I where you and schedule a punch biopsy ASAP with an ENT. I went the dentist - oral surgeon -ENT rout myself and just ended up where you are going anyway. If this is over two weeks old (and I think it is) I would advise you to ask the ENT for a faster visit if you can get one.

I agree with Kelly that you really need to find yourself an ENT who specializes in oral cancer and get a biopsy done. It could be any number of things but its better to be safe than sorry by waiting a month. Call tomorrow!