Clusters of white lumps on upper front gums

[farfromhome]

Hi,

For nearly three years I've had a lump on the hard pallete of my mouth. When it started it felt like just a lump there, and finally it seemed to break through the layer of skin. But has not grown any larger. I have admittedly picked at it with my finger/nail and it feels as if its a growth with a root rather than being attached around the base to the rest of the pallette.

I finally had a dentist look at it and he immediately referred me to an oral surgeon. During the two weeks between appts I picked at it with my finger and took a big chunk of it out just by picking (not good I'm sure) So when I saw the surgeon he did not see anything, but I could feel a 'crater' from where it had been.

It subsequently came back to what seems its previous size. I went to see another oral surgeon who after locating the  lump told me that it was a blocked salivary gland.

This made me feel a lot better until I noticed a number of clusters of small white lumps on my upper gums, they're not very white, more the same color as the surrounding area, but they seem to cover the area above one tooth and there is a single on in the middle gum between the two upper front teeth.

Is this something to worry about. I'm worried about HPV and have read that smoking marijuana, which I did frequently until a few months ago could exacerbate the appearance of HPV related lesions in the mouth due to the decrease in immune system respose that it causes.

I also noticed recently that I appear to have many smaller non cluster bumps on the back of my soft pallete. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm traveling abroad and fairly concerned about being gone for so long without health insurance.

Thanks

[farfromhome]

Wow, I feel a bit confused at this, as to why the Dr. would just let it go. As I'm traveling abroad, do you have any reccomendations. I will be in India, should I look into getting it done there? Thanks

[Michael H Kirsch, DDS]

Any lesion that persists in the mouth for more than two weeks should be biopsied.  That is the standard of care in the United States.  Anything less is inadequate unless the surgeon is 100% sure he/she knows what it is and states that treatment is unnecessary.

Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation.  This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.