Expert: Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com - 10/28/2009

Question
hello sir i hope u can answer my? about 3 weeks ago i noticed a white spor that looked like a canker sore inside my cheek it is on the bone that can be felt in the corners of the mouth it has not go no bigger it could have been there longer than 3 weeks but thats when i noticed it i try to brush it off one time but all it did was bleed around the area it is small a little bit smaller than a canker sore.but it dosent hurt like a canker sore or has not got any bigger.it is a light white color.i do not have any dental insurance and was wanting to know from u would you wait until it got bigger or see if it would go away i am 26 years old i quit tobacco about 3 years ago and i do not drink i was just wanting to know could this be a infection or oral cancer.my throat has not hurt the white spot does not hurt unless i pick at it. and i stopped picking at it.i just cannot figure it out.and i could swear the spot was gone for 2 or 3 days and just reappeared again but i could be wrong i might have just overlooked it for them 2 days.i have looked pictures up on google and the only thing that looks familar is ulcers or canker sores and it kinda even looks like white dead skin. please let me know what you think thanks.it just want go away

Answer
Dear Lester,

It sounds like you have an ulcer. I do not understand from your question exactly where the ulcer is, but the standard rule of thumb is that if the ulcer doesn't go away in two or three weeks, most dentists consider ordering a biopsy.  Sometimes benign ulcers can take a while to heal, especially if they are immediately over the bone.  Although most lesions are benign, occasionally an ulcer can turn out to be a malignancy. I recommend you visit a dentist.

If you haven't had a cleaning in over 6 months, it time.  Ask the dentist to examine the white spot and make a recommendation. If you can not afford a cleaning, then go for a consultation.  

If you do not have a regular dentist and you could start with a visit to an Oral Surgeon. Most Oral Surgeons have extra experience at diagnosing oral lesions and often they perform any needed biopsies. If you go to the oral surgeon first you may save the additional fee of seeing a general dentist.

I hope this information is helpful and please feel free to contact me again with any future dental questions.