Mouth Inflammation- TERRIFIED!

2 weeks ago I developed a mouth inflammation. It felt like a typical canker sore. Anyway, the pain subsided after a week but after 2 weeks the inflammation is still there. Its about the size of a quarter on the inside of my cheek near the top molars. The surface is smooth (no bumps or lumps) and there are some white striations at the base (keritinization i think), its also a bit tender...especially around the duct that leads to the parotid gland. I went to the dentist today and she wants me to wait another week & if it doesnt heal she wants to send me to a pathologist. she seemed a bit clueless and the only thing she could think of is Lichen Planus & started showing me pics in a textbook. Well, as soon as she mentioned pathologist i had an anxiety attack. I really dont know what to think or do at this point. has anyone experienced anything like this? Im not a smoker, tobacco chewer and drink wine on occasion and am otherwise fairly healthy. if this is Lichen Planus is that bad? thanks for your help

Thanks for all the outpuring of support and recommendations ;-)

Hey,

I'm not an expert by any means, so I can't give you a lot of advice. However, the fact that your dentist had to whip out a text book..eh, I don't know how I'd feel about that. I honestly think that once you see the specialist and get some straight answers you'll feel a lot better. Plus, we always build things up worse in our minds.

Keep us updated on your situation. I'm sure everything will be ok =). It's probably something as common as an absess that can be cleared up with antibiotics.

Good luck!

Well, I've never heard of Lichen Planus in the mouth but as a skin conditions in general it is totally treatable. A pain in the but, but treatable. If it were me, I'd want to go to a pathologist just in case, although I'm sure it's nothing.

Good luck! I hope it goes away on it's own but I think you should see your doctor too while it is still there. (S)he might have a better idea and it would be less stressful to know what it is if it ever reoccurred.

Be sure to let us know how it goes!