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Question: I
have a white film on my
cheeks where I put my
chewing tobacco. It
isn't easily scraped
away with your finger
but after I brush my
gums and cheeks it goes
completely away. If I
quit chewing for about 1
week it doesn't come
back. could this just be
skin that has been
calloused and turns
white because its wet?
I also have a
small bump on the back
left of my jaw between
the top and bottom
wisdom teeth and between
the outside of my face
and my throat. (I
believe there is a gland
there) The bump isn't
visible and can only be
felt by pushing on it.
It is firm but not hard
and doesn't move when
pushed. Its been there
for about 2 months as
far as i know but
probably much longer. It
seems like its gotten
smaller since i first
felt it but its still
there. Its really small,
about the size of a very
very small pee. about
.08 inches, What could
this be?
Answer: As far
as the first question,
chewing tobacco has been
linked to oral cancer
and other lesions in the
mouth. The situation you
are experiencing could
be a number of things
and only can be
confirmed by a through
examination and may be
biopsy. The important
issue is to first focus
on quitting. Even if the
lesions are not cancer
at this point, the
mucosa in that area have
a chance of becoming
cancerous due to the
effect of tobacco. We
strongly recommend that
you see a dentist to
evaluate the area for
possibility of serious
skin conditions.
As far as the second
question, there are a
few possibilities. The
area you are mentioning
is an area where a main
salivary gland duct
exists. If that is what
you see, you should see
a similar size bmp on
the other side of your
mouth as well.
Another possibility is
that you are biting your
cheek with your wisdom
teeth. That happens
often when the wisdom
teeth are not in correct
contact with each other
and create a suction or
empty area that cheek
adapts too. This could
be fibrotic tissue that
may change size at
times. The tissue has to
be checked to rule out
any serious condition.
Your dentist also can
determine the cause and
address that
accordingly. It could
range from removal of
one or both wisdom
teeth, bite adjustment
if the reason for the
bump is frequent biting
and or other treatments
related to the lesion
itself or the salivary
glands.
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