Hi, I'm a 37 year old female, non-smoker, non-drinker and non-drug user. For the past 6 months or so, I've noticed a swelling of my inner right cheek (can't see it on the outside of the face, just inside), which would come and go (chronic, seems like). I didn't think nothing of it, until last week, when it decided to stick around. Moreover, it feels like my lower lip and upper lip on the right side (where the cheek is), are also irritated, and feel swollen - on the inside. I'm really scared that this thickening of cheek and the accompanying irritation of the lips might be some sort of a tumor. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? A feeling of fullness in the mouth, accompanied by swelling of the buccal mucosa and the soft tissue of the lower/upper lip on one side only?

I'm rather panicky, because the research on the WWW points to one thing: tumor - and so with good reason, I'm here hoping someone can shed a different light on my predicament - before I go see my family physician.

Possibly thrush-do you have a white skin effect? Over the area?

It could be anything, as above said it could even be just an infection which can be cleared up through a special medicated mouthwash. Thrush is very common as well.

Either way no matter what. The only true diagnosis, is best to seek out your Medical doctor and get a diagnosis and then you will no how to deal with whatever is causing this. Next time too, It is best not to leave it so long just in case there is something series going on.

Hope you figure out what is happening.

Joe

Check this website out... it has some possibilities!
Mouth swelling - WrongDiagnosis.com (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/mouth_swelling.htm)
Good luck!

Llyssa:

IF in association with dry mouth it might be a problem with a salivary gland


eMedicine - Sjogren Syndrome : Article by Darren Phelan, MD (http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic537.htm)



Grace and Peace

To answer your question, Xrayman, there are no white spots. But now I have an irregular (1/3 inch) bump forming on the inner upper lip, soft to the touch... looks like the whole mouth is slowly becoming affected - the area involving lips and the buccal mucosa nearest to the lips, anyway. I'm starting to wonder whether it's not some disorder of minor salivary glands, or maybe even some kind of a bacterial infection... It is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. :(

Well did you go to the doctor yet, maybe now is the time. What is taking you so long to visit a doctor? Not trying to sound rude, but curious on why your relying on people on a website to diagnose you?

I have made an appointment and it's this coming Wednesday. I took my time because like I stated above, it was a condition that came and went. When it would disappear without a trace, I thought it was over and done with. And when it appeared again, I thought it was due to cheek biting/sucking, as I have a habit of doing that in my sleep sometimes.

So you see, I have not really been 'taking long'. Just been trying to establish whether this was here to stay. Now that I have seen it stick around for a week, I immediately made a doctor's appointment. Now if I was in Canada, I'd have seen my doctor the same day or at the very latest - the next day after calling in. Unfortunately, I'm now in the United States, where I have to run circles around HMO lists and wait until they can pencil me in at a convenient time - which is fine. I don't mind waiting, as long as my mouth doesn't swell to the point where I can't swallow or breathe - and that has not happened, so all is well. :)

And I'm not relying on people to diagnose me - Jesushelper - what I'm looking for, is some compassion, a place to be able to talk about what ails me without judgment, and perhaps some ideas to put my mind to rest so I don't worry myself sick and think the worst - before I finally do make it, to my American doctor.

I've five days to go. God bless America! ;)

Not to start anything, but just out of curiosity, don't you have to wait months to see a doctor in Canada and UK? I was always told that.

Well, I'm not sure what it's like in other provinces or in the UK, but when I lived in Alberta (and I lived there for almost 20 years), I've always got to see my doc right away, he had a walk-in clinic. Also, there were 2 medicentres (which are kind of like a walk-in clinic with several family physicians - for those who don't have a family doctor) within walking distance of my house, and they were open 7 days a week.

Of course the best part was the complete peace of mind and not having to pay anything to get a proper diagnosis. :)

Hello L:

I had something on the inside of my cheek. They called it a mucouseal and they took it out. Twarn't nothing. Took an hour and 3 stitches.

By the way, it was a Dentist who diagnosed and took it out.

excon

not to start anything, but just out of curiosity, dont you have to wait months to see a doctor in Canada and UK? I was always told that.

I can call my doctor and get in the very same day. What you have been told is incorrect. I guess it all depends on the doctor and patient load as well. I am still here in Canada and very thankful.

As far as the poster, I am sorry you have to wait around so long. I was not being judgemental, I was just wondering what took so long to see a doctor. Thank you for answering my question.

Joe

To answer your previous question, Jesushelper - I moved to the States because my husband is a US citizen. We lived together in Canada for 3 years, but since I taught in a very remote northern community he was unable to find a job in his field. He then returned to the US and found a job almost immediately - that's when I started considering moving down there, to join him. It's not a choice I relished making and I'm almost starting to regret it - but you have to make a life and put down roots somewhere, I suppose. Well, hopefully this current worry will turn out to be nothing big, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)

Btw, thank you for the insight, excon - I'll be sure to ask about mucoseals when I see Dr. Travis on Wednesday. :)

Best of luck with your doctor appointment.

Hi, I'm a 37 year old female, non-smoker, non-drinker and non-drug user. For the past 6 months or so, I've noticed a swelling of my inner right cheek (can't see it on the outside of the face, just inside), which would come and go (chronic, seems like). I didn't think nothing of it, until last week, when it decided to stick around. Moreover, it feels like my lower lip and upper lip on the right side (where the cheek is), are also irritated, and feel swollen - on the inside. I'm really scared that this thickening of cheek and the accompanying irritation of the lips might be some sort of a tumor. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? A feeling of fullness in the mouth, accompanied by swelling of the buccal mucosa and the soft tissue of the lower/upper lip on one side only?

I'm rather panicky, because the research on the WWW points to one thing: tumor - and so with good reason, I'm here hoping someone can shed a different light on my predicament - before I go see my family physician.


My aunt had the same problem not long ago and she had an abscessed too and staff infection

Thanks, Jesushelper - I should know more by Wednesday, I hope. :)

Hello, gonecrazy - I don't think I have an abscessed tooth as there would be throbbing pain and a toothache - but a saph infection... hmm, hadn't thought of that. Cellulitis could be another cause. I guess at this stage, I'm hoping it is that - and hopefully nothing worse. I really do appreciate these insights, they're definitely keeping me calmer these past few days.

*hugs to all* :)

Went to see the doc today and no definite diagnosis. He seems a bit puzzled, so I'll have a whole battery of tests done tomorrow morning. If that doesn't shed some answers, a visit to a specialist is certain. At least two more weeks of worrying (though I'll try really hard not to), awaits me.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Well, I've seen not 1 doctor but 2, and had a battery of blood tests. Still nothing on the forefront - but I am seeing a dermatologist on Monday (tomorrow).

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as so far I've only been able to eliminate certain guesses (along with my doctors), but there are no definitive answers, so I'm still a bit worried.

Llyssa,

What happened?

I found your 2007 string because I have almost the same
Symptoms right now. Please let me know how things turned out for
You.

-Ed

Hi, Ed - sorry for the lateness of the reply but I haven't looked here until now. My symptoms have returned and I've decided to contact my doctor on Monday. I think I'd feel much better if they took some x-rays or did a CT scan of my cheek. Looking for answers on the internet doesn't seem to help. :(

I'm sorry that I cannot be much of assistance. Have your symptoms resolved any? I hope you're doing/feeling better!

Lisa,
Thought I replied to this yesterday, but I logged in today to see if you responded and my reply is nowhere to be seen.. I'll post again & hopefully we won't end up with two of these!
Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that your symptoms returned. What happened last year, did they gradually fade away and stay gone until now?
The problem I was having last year involved a swollen "ridge" inside my left cheek that seemed to swell up after eating certain foods or drinking something acidic, like lemonaide. When the swelling moved all the way to the corner of my mouth and into my upper lip, I started to get concerned. My general physician seemed to recognize the problem right away. He said that I had a "stone" in a salivary gland. Apparently your saliva glands can develop tiny stones, smaller than a grain of sand, that can block a saliva duct and cause swelling such as I experienced.
He told me to purposefully try eating the kinds of foods/drink that caused the swelling as long as it caused no pain, as that might work the stone loose. That did the trick - no problems since.
Apparently, if you have a stubborn one, an ENT doctor can numb your cheek and remove the stone with a very fine wire probe. I liked the lemonaide treatment better, and thankfully, it worked.
I hope you find that your symptoms are caused by something equally harmless.
-Ed

Hi Llyssa,
Can you post an update to your swollen mouth symptoms? I have just recently developed identical symptoms. Was your diagnosis a blocked saliva gland?

Thanks,
PaulinVA

I'm having the same problem since three days ,for the first time
. I prefer home remedies! That's why I put half a pod of garlic in my mouth chew it and kept and roll it on uper,lower lip and chik and it worked ! After some minute I felt relief ,it worked wonderful. But , I would ask you to consult a doctor but what I did,it worked miraculasly!