Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 12/9/2004

Question
Sorry to kept bothering you and asking you "Stupid" questions.  I'm trying so hard not to repeat old patterns of overreacting and rushing off to the doctor and fearing that I have cancer, so thats why I keep asking you these annoying questions....You probably remember me - I'm 27 yr. old female, drink once a week and ex-smoker.  Huge fear of cancer(grandmother died of Ovarian Cancer 2 yrs. ago).  Have been dealing with Anxiety/Panic/OCD attacks and disorders.  Medication currently taking: birth control pills, multi-vitamin w/numerous supplements, Wellbutrin XL (anti-depressant), Xanax on occasion, Zrytec D for sinuses and allegries, Nasonex for postnasal drip.  We have all electric heat at home and wake up with really dry mouth, just started using a humidifer.  My problem:  A few days ago I started getting the burning feeling on my tongue and roof of my mouth (figured due to dry mouth from taking Anti-depressant & sinus/allegry medicine).  Well yesterday I decided to look in my mouth w/ a flashlight and I noticed a small pinkish/reddish spot (almost like a perfect small circle, probably size on a English pea or a tad bit bigger) on the roof of my mouth toward the soft palate on the right.  And I pressed my pinky finger on it and the color changed white/pinkish like flesh color then back to pinkish/reddish.  The small spot was a little redder after pressing on it a few times but when I rechecked it about an hour later it wasn't as red as before.  It felt smooth and soft, like the rest of my mouth.  I didn't see any ulceration, no raised edges, no indention, doesn't feel firm.  I used a dental mirror to check.  It causes no pain - just at the moment my tongue and roof of my mouth feel like its dried out and burning feeling but it goes away when I eat, drink or suck on candy. I am trying to eat more yogurt at the moment to see if that will help. I think I am going to come off my anti-depressants and Zrytec D to see that also helps.  It seems like the burning feeling comes in episodes.  Just when I think everything is fine for a few months the dry/burning feeling begins.  I know that when my mouth is dry it can cause the burning feeling and make my tongue and roof of my mouth sore feeling along with redness.  I have just never seen this small spot that looks like a circle.  Actually I just looked at it again and it doesn't look as red but its almost like the longer that I look at that spot with a flashlight it gets redder.   So in your area of expertise and experience does this sound related to dry/burning mouth? or Does it sound serious (Oral Cancer)?  Should I rush off to my dentist or ENT?  Please advise, my head is getting all confused - its a awful cycle.  I really appreciate your time and for answering all my questions.

Answer
Tara,
It does not sound like cancer at all. But I cannot give you any definitive diagnoses without seeing things in person. It could be related to the dry mouth. As tissue dries out, it sometimes changes appearance like that. Again, I have to advise you to have your dentist or an oral surgeon look at you in person. This will be the only way for you to totally relax about what you are seeing. I can tell that you would otherwise worry too much about it. So call your dentist or a local oral surgeon to have them evaluate the red area on your palate. I am sure everything will turn out fine. Good luck,

Jeff Dalin, DDS