Is this just a bitten tongue?

[MR505]

Hello-

Noticed this on the side of my tongue today. It's sore but not exactly painful. I'm thinking I might have just bit it but want to be sure I am not overlooking anything more serious.

Thank you!

 

[Dr M]

Good morning

The issue might be trauma related due to tongue biting or even a sharp filling on one of your molars. I would suggest leaving the area for about 7-10 days, maybe just rinsing with luke-warm salt water to clean the area. If the lesion does not disappear, then it might be a good idea to go to your dentist to get it checked out. The lateral or side border of the tongue is a high risk area of possible pathology. So rather be safe.

Hope this helps.

 

[MR505]

Thanks for the reply! I actually saw an ENT Doctor today for another unrelated tongue issue. He seemed thorough. Is this something that would be caught by a decent doctor?

No fillings either, thankfully. I'm hoping a few days of warm salt water and it'll be gone.

 

[Dr M]

Good day,

I would rather go to a dentist, since some general practitioners might miss the issue. Give it time, and if it doesn't disappear, go see a dentist and mentioned the tongue lesion. A dentist will then evaluate the lesion and send you to an oral surgeon for further examination if he deems it necessary. This specialist will be fully capable to diagnose and manage the problem, since this is his area of expertise.

 

[MR505]

Thanks for the follow up. The past month I've seen a dentist, an oral surgeon, and today was the ENT (have another issue being resolved). I'm hoping with all those people looking in my mouth and at my tongue, they'd have noticed it. Either way, I'll keep my eyes on it and reach out to my dentist again if it doesn't go away.

Thanks!

 

[honestdoc]

The tongue has a lot of anatomic blood supply which could be both good and bad. The good is the blood supply provides repair nutrients for efficient healing during acute one-time trauma. The bad is the blood supply acts like a busy freeway for cancer/tumor cells to spread elsewhere. When the mouth (tongue) experiences constant irritation and trauma like rubbing on sharp rough surfaces, it wants to protect itself by making abnormal thicken skin (hyperkeratinization) or callouses. It is rare that this will progress into cancer but it is precancerous. Couple that with chemical irritation like smoking and alcohol, you increase the chance for out-of-control abnormal cell growth. The key is to not have any irritation.

 

[MR505]

It seems like it's healing already, thankfully. I don't smoke (ever) and I only drink socially. What sort of irritation should I look for? Would just a normal tooth do it?

Also, are you seeing hyperkeratosis or just mentioning it?

 

[honestdoc]

I couldn't see it on the images. Make sure your teeth don't feel rough or sharp. Sometimes with dental work and or wear can cause sharp and rough surfaces. Occasional alcohol shouldn't be a problem. I don't like mouth rinses but many modern rinses are alcohol free.

 

[MR505]

Is it something a dentist would see in a normal examine or do I need to ask specifically - both for hyperkeratosis and if my teeth are sharp? They don't feel particularly sharp but I'm not positive.

 

[honestdoc]

The dentist will need to check it during routine periodic exam. Many times it may appear normal so ask you dentist to look into it.