I'm new here. I found this forum while I was looking for information. On January 8, I went to the dentist for a cleaning. I wasn't having any problems, and thought it would be a quick, uneventful appointment.

Well, when he was doing the exam, he told me I had two spots on the top of my mouth that he was concerned about. He said they were darker in color than the rest of the tissue. He said he was bothered by this, and the spots would have to be watched. He tried to show them to me, but never gave me a small mirror to put in my mouth, so I couldn't see the spots in question. I left the office that day, and I soon let it slip my mind. (in addition to the "spots" , the x-rays I had taken showed I had two abcesses under the gums, like around the root of two seperate teeth on the bottom of my mouth. I also had some tissue that was red on the roof of my mouth, and a small, strange lump in the middle of the top of my mouth as well. So odd. I never had any pain in my mouth or anything.)

Anyway, for some reason, the other day I decided to look at these "spots". I got a small mirror and stuck it in my mouth and looked into another mirror. I was shocked to say the least. These spots aren't just "darker" than the other tissue, they are black. I have two black spots on the roof of my mouth. I have no clue how long they've been there. (they weren't there at my last cleaning 6 months before) I think they must have appeared recently.

I just can't imagine what they could be. Since the dentist had said he was bothered by them, and concerned, it makes me wonder if it could in fact be some type of cancer. I have smoked for years and I've been trying to quit. (I decided to try quitting even before this discovery)

I am going to talk to my primary care physician when I see him this week, and I did call the dentist office back today and I'm going in on the 24th to discuss this more with him. I thought maybe if I posted here, maybe you guys could help me figure out what kinds of questions to ask, or something. I'm not sure what to do. I certainly hope it isn't anything serious. I'm 31, and I know the odds are in my favor that it is not cancer. I've tried to look for information about what could cause black spots on the roof of your mouth, and haven't found much of anything. Has anyone else had something like this appear before?

Pickle,

I am a dentist and please understand that neither I nor anyone can tell you what your spots are without examining you.

That being said, the first thing I will tell you is that you should really make a big effort to stop smoking. If you had not called your dentist, was he going to follow up on this situation? Any areas that don't go away in 2 weeks time should be biopsied. Your appointment on the 24th will be about the right time to check them again.

I can tell you that the lump in the middle of your mouth MAY be a torus. This is a hard boney area that is benign. Of course, without seeing it, I can't tell you for sure. The areas that look black to you, may actually not be black, may look that way because of the poor lighting that you probably were only able to get into your mouth. I wouldn't even guess what they are.

You didn't mention what is going to be done about your two abscesses. I hope there is a treatment plan for those.

Good luck with your quit smoking effort and I will be anxious to know the outcome of your appointment on the 22nd.

Jerry

Pickle,

My cancer was found by dentist. Are you having pain in the area where the spots are? Like Jerry said, you may want to consider having it biopsied. I am also interested in knowing if your dentist was going to follow up. Was he going to wait until your next 6 month appointment? If he doesn't suggest it you want to ask for one. I asked for my most recent biopsy and I'm glad I did. You have to be your own advocate.

Good luck to you and please let us know what they say at your appointment.

Suzanne

Thanks, Jerry.

I know nobody can tell me what anything is, or try to diagnose me or anything. That would be rather difficult over a computer! I am glad I found this forum, because it's a place I can talk about what's happening, and any fears I have, and maybe ask questions. The abcesses were taken care of with antibiotics. (well, I took the antibiotics, the appointment I had when all this was discovered was January 8, so it's been just over a month. I haven't had any other x-rays to see if they're gone.) My dentist had only told me that we had to keep an eye on and watch those spots. He never really said anything else, other than that, and that he was concerned. So I called today and made an appointment to go back and discuss this again. I hope he does in fact have a plan on what to do, though, besides just to wait and watch them.

As for the stopping smoking, I'm trying very hard! I'm doing better with it. I used to smoke like 2 packs a day (that was the most at one point) and now I'm down to half a pack a day. I really want to go to nursing school, and would like to completely quit before I begin my classes.

Thanks again for your thoughts. I do appreciate it!

Pickle

Hey, Pickle,

There are some great dentists out there, and many people on this forum owe their very lives to them for discovering their cancer and referring them to the right treatment professionals.

On the other hand, there are some general dentists who don't seem to be as aware of oral cancer as they should be. I am one of those unfortunate patients whose dentist did not recognize my cancer nor know that he should have ordered a biopsy 8 months before I actually had one done.

Pleast take things into your own hands. If he doesn't recommend a biopsy, ASK for one. (shall I say "demand"?) If it's cancer, you need to begin treatment, and if it's not, then you will have an answer that can ease your mind. Black spots on your palate are not normal, for sure!! Being a heavy smoker should make you even more adamant about insisting on a biopsy.

Please write here often. My cancer was on my gums and my hard palate, so I'll be especially interested to hear what you find out.

XO--Colleen

Pickle,

2 things.

1. It disturbs me when I hear the phrases "watch it" or "keep an eye on it".

2. Treating an abscess with an antibiotic will usuually only take care of the problem for a short period of time. There are basically two reasons for an abscess. Either a dying tooth needing root canal treatment or a gum (periodontal) problem that needs to be treated.

Please make sure that the abscess problem is followed up as well as the spots on your palate.

Jerry

Okay, I went to my primary care physician today. I talked to him about these black spots, and told him about how the dentist saw them during my exam on January 8, and that he said we needed to watch them, etc.

He said I need a biopsy done. He said that if they had been there for a long time or something, then that would be one thing, but for them to simply appear as they did, they need a biopsy. I think he was trying not to scare me, you know? i really like my doctor. He said for me to follow up with my dentist, and if he cannot do a biopsy, then I may have to see an oral surgeon to get one done.

So I've been thinking about all of this. I don't think my insurance will pay for an oral surgeon, although I thought maybe it's possible under circumstances such as this. there is an oral surgeon near my dentist office I would like to see, if I have to see one. I've met him before, and I'm familiar with his office, as I used to clean it. (I think maybe being familiar with an office like that may help decrease fears, and may be more comfortable.) i've also met him several times, and he is very nice. My friend took her children to him when they were very young to have something done, and she said he was excellent with them, too. So we'll see what happens with the dentist.

My SO is freaking out, and not wanting me to wait till next Tuesday to go talk to the dentist. he wants me to go in NOW. But things don't work like that. i did try to call today to get an earlier appointment, if they have one open, and there was no answer. I'll try again tomorrow. They're closed Friday-Sunday, and only open Monday -Thursday. i was thinking that since I've waited this long, what's another week? Part of me I think is just scared, though. i've been wondering what the biopsy will be like. I know having shots in the roof of your mouth doesn't feel good, and it hurts. So I wonder if the biopsy will hurt, too. How much tissue they will take, etc. I've never had a biopsy for anything before. Probably it's normal that I'm nervous?

Someone asked me if I had any pain where the spots are. i don't think so, no. I've had other things, but I don't know if it is or could be related. My throat and the roof of my mouth have kind of felt sore a little. (kind of like your throat would feel when you have a cold or something). My nose has been runny, and I've had an on and off ear ache in both ears. sometimes it feels like they're clogged, like they have water in them or something. but I thought maybe all this stuff was from the weather. It's been so crazy, with the freezing temeratures then warming up some, snow then rain, etc. I've had some headaches, but they haven't been too bad. I've also been tired. But I just figure some of that is probably because I have 3 children! (They are 10, 8, and 6)
A few months ago, i had a strange thing happen. I didn't have a sore throat, but it felt like my neck was swollen, like i was being strangled or something. It was like that for about a week, then suddenly went away. I don't know what that was all about? I've also had nausea for the past few months, I don't know why. The doctor doesn't know why, either. He said I may need to go see a gastro doctor or something.

Anyway that's what happened today.

Insurance is often unwilling to pay oral surgeon because they are considered dentist, not doctor -- If med insurance is the problem then get primary doc to recommend ENT doc who will do biopsy.

Many of these oral lesions, precancerous, cancerous or whatever, do not hurt which is why some get as far as they do without detection -- Two of my three were painless, but luckily the third wasn't, because that's how I found it.

Depending on the circumstances, they numb the area, cut some pieces away (or the whole thing if it is small) and then put in sutures -- They should give you a prescription for pain meds for when the numbing agent wears off (Ask before hand about that; otherwise you may forget) -- I find the sutures to be the most annoying part.

Welcome to OCF.

Either an ENT or an oral surgeon will do 3 office visits. First one is to examine you to see if a biopsy is necessary and to talk. Second one is the biopsy which isnt too bad even for a wimp like me. Thirs one is about a week later with the results. That will be the longest week of your life, waiting for results.

Something to remember, worrying wont change the test results. It wont help one bit only make you feel bad and everyone around you. Try not to waste your time with worrying. Life is to be enjoyed especially with 3 children!!!!

Wishing you the best.

I would at least try to call your dentist and tell them you are really worried and would like to come in ASAP and get a biopsy of the area. If they are unwilling to do the biopsy and want to send you to an ENT or Oral Surgeon, at least you will get that ball rolling. It is worth a try as opposed to sitting around worrying.