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Leukoplakia on tongue... no end to pain in sight
wentee posted:
I have a very painful "leukoplakia" on the right side of my tongue that I have had for years. It has been especially painful over the last 3-4 months. I have had doctors (ENTs) monitoring it for years. The last two doctors I have seen wanted to biopsy it, not particularly because they thought it was cancer, but just to be sure. I put this off because I heard it was really painful -however I will probably have to go through with it. One doctor, the most experienced one I've seen did NOT want to biopsy it because he thought it would somehow irritate it and / or make it worse. I don't go to him any more because I no longer live in his area.
None of the doctors have offered any possible solution(s) or treatments, and I am just DESPERATE to find some relief and for it to get better somehow. They don't know what caused it, however I am almost certain that it's from my tongue rubbing against my teeth. My tongue just seems to gravitate to the right side of my mouth, almost as if I am not totally in control of it. I have thought about using my "Doctor's night guard" (used to help with grinding teeth) However that fits under your TOP teeth, and my problem is on the lower right.
I wonder if there was something smooth I could put in my mouth at night that would give my tongue something to rest on... perhaps that would help and possibly even heal it? Also it seems like my tongue is swollen. From what I don't know. I wonder if there is something that I could take to lessen this?
If anyone has ANY idea what I can do about this, possible treatment and /or cure, that would be wonderful.
Thank you.
None of the doctors have offered any possible solution(s) or treatments, and I am just DESPERATE to find some relief and for it to get better somehow. They don't know what caused it, however I am almost certain that it's from my tongue rubbing against my teeth. My tongue just seems to gravitate to the right side of my mouth, almost as if I am not totally in control of it. I have thought about using my "Doctor's night guard" (used to help with grinding teeth) However that fits under your TOP teeth, and my problem is on the lower right.
I wonder if there was something smooth I could put in my mouth at night that would give my tongue something to rest on... perhaps that would help and possibly even heal it? Also it seems like my tongue is swollen. From what I don't know. I wonder if there is something that I could take to lessen this?
If anyone has ANY idea what I can do about this, possible treatment and /or cure, that would be wonderful.
Thank you.
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Leukoplakia on tongue... no end to pain in sightI have a very painful "leukoplakia" on the right side of my tongue that I have had for years. It has been especially painful over the last 3-4 months. I have had doctors (ENTs) monitoring it for years. The last two doctors I have seen wanted to biopsy it, not particularly because they thought it was cancer, but just to be sure. I put this off because I heard it was really painful -however I will probably have to go through with it. One doctor, the most experienced one I've seen did NOT want to biopsy it because he thought it would somehow irritate it and / or make it worse. I don't go to him any more because I no longer live in his area. <br /> <br /> None of the doctors have offered any possible solution(s) or treatments, and I am just DESPERATE to find some relief and for it to get better somehow. They don't know what caused it, however I am almost certain that it's from my tongue rubbing against my teeth. My tongue just seems to gravitate to the right side of my mouth, almost as if I am not totally in control of it. I have thought about using my "Doctor's night guard" (used to help with grinding teeth) However that fits under your TOP teeth, and my problem is on the lower right. <br /> <br /> I wonder if there was something smooth I could put in my mouth at night that would give my tongue something to rest on... perhaps that would help and possibly even heal it? Also it seems like my tongue is swollen. From what I don't know. I wonder if there is something that I could take to lessen this?<br /> <br /> If anyone has ANY idea what I can do about this, possible treatment and /or cure, that would be wonderful.<br /> <br /> Thank you.
Gwen Cohen Brown, DDS, FAAOMP responded:
Hi Wentee,
Although I cannot provide a diagnose online I can provide guidance. Leukoplakia is a clinical term used to describe a white patch in the mourh that does not rub off and does not have a specific diagnosis. This is a clinical diagnosis only not a microscopic diagnosis. Without a biopsy you do not have a definitive diagnosis. The issue then becomes how to treat a lesion without actually knowing what it is.
The lesion is painful and long standing and obviously causing you both physical and psychological distress. I understand that you have had conflicting advice from multiple sources and I know that a biopsy can be scary however I strongly suggest that you have a biopsy and that the tissue should be sent to an oral pathologist for an accurate diagnosis.
On the positive side the leukoplakia has not changed in size, texture or color, and these are all good signs and suggest that the lesion is benign! The other benefit to having a biopsy - besides peace of mind - is that the process of having the biopsy done can actually help heal the affected lesion, the process of removing the lesion gets rid of dead tissue and brings fresh blood flow to the area which also supports and improves healing.
I suggest that you see your dentist who can smooth down any rough edges on your teeth. Orthodontic wax can temporarily be used to fill in the spaces between the teeth. If at all possible you should try not to play with the affected area as chronic irritation also can lead to swelling and pain.
If the leukoplakia has been present for more than six weeks it is not likely to resolve on its own and it should be biopsied. You need a definitive diagnosis so you can receive appropriate treatment.
I hope this helps, Dr. Gwen Cohen Brown
The lesion is painful and long standing and obviously causing you both physical and psychological distress. I understand that you have had conflicting advice from multiple sources and I know that a biopsy can be scary however I strongly suggest that you have a biopsy and that the tissue should be sent to an oral pathologist for an accurate diagnosis.
On the positive side the leukoplakia has not changed in size, texture or color, and these are all good signs and suggest that the lesion is benign! The other benefit to having a biopsy - besides peace of mind - is that the process of having the biopsy done can actually help heal the affected lesion, the process of removing the lesion gets rid of dead tissue and brings fresh blood flow to the area which also supports and improves healing.
I suggest that you see your dentist who can smooth down any rough edges on your teeth. Orthodontic wax can temporarily be used to fill in the spaces between the teeth. If at all possible you should try not to play with the affected area as chronic irritation also can lead to swelling and pain.
If the leukoplakia has been present for more than six weeks it is not likely to resolve on its own and it should be biopsied. You need a definitive diagnosis so you can receive appropriate treatment.
I hope this helps, Dr. Gwen Cohen Brown
Report This| Share this:Leukoplakia on tongue... no end to pain in sightHi Wentee,
Although I cannot provide a diagnose online I can provide guidance. Leukoplakia is a clinical term used to describe a white patch in the mourh that does not rub off and does not have a specific diagnosis. This is a clinical diagnosis only not a microscopic diagnosis. Without a biopsy you do not have a definitive diagnosis. The issue then becomes how to treat a lesion without actually knowing what it is.<br><br>The lesion is painful and long standing and obviously causing you both physical and psychological distress. I understand that you have had conflicting advice from multiple sources and I know that a biopsy can be scary however I strongly suggest that you have a biopsy and that the tissue should be sent to an oral pathologist for an accurate diagnosis.<br><br>On the positive side the leukoplakia has not changed in size, texture or color, and these are all good signs and suggest that the lesion is benign! The other benefit to having a biopsy - besides peace of mind - is that the process of having the biopsy done can actually help heal the affected lesion, the process of removing the lesion gets rid of dead tissue and brings fresh blood flow to the area which also supports and improves healing.<br><br>I suggest that you see your dentist who can smooth down any rough edges on your teeth. Orthodontic wax can temporarily be used to fill in the spaces between the teeth. If at all possible you should try not to play with the affected area as chronic irritation also can lead to swelling and pain. <br><br>If the leukoplakia has been present for more than six weeks it is not likely to resolve on its own and it should be biopsied. You need a definitive diagnosis so you can receive appropriate treatment.<br><br>I hope this helps,
Dr. Gwen Cohen Brown
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