Is a 'blocked salivatory gland' a mucocele?
Hey guys! Newbie here, I could do with some help/advice...
I've had what looks like an ulcer in my mouth now for just over three months. It's driving me mad. At first it would swell to a horrible size (visible when I was talking and interfering with my teeth and tongue then I spoke or ate - not attractive in the slightest!?!), then it would burst, then swell up again. After about six weeks and several attempts to rid myself of the flaming thing (mouth wash, bonjella, salt wash, bicarbonate of soda, yogurt - you name it, I tried it!) I went to see the doctor.
The doctor referred me to an oral surgeon at my local hospital, however the week before I saw the surgeon the ulcer burst and this time it seemed to be genuinely disappearing. So when the surgeon saw it, it looked quite tame. He diagnosed a 'blocked salivatory gland' and said it could be removed if it was annoying me. I kinda freaked slightly at the idea and made a sharp exit.
However several weeks later I'm not sure if I made the right decision. The ulcer is still there, showing no signs of going and is increasing in size and sensitivity again.
So my questions:
- What exactly is a mucocele? Is it the same as a blocked salivatory gland? The web definitions I find are a tad confusing. And the description and location is very similar to a mucocele.
- I assumed that the ulcer was disappearing, and the oral surgeon didn't say anything to suggest that it wouldn't go away on it's own. But it's been over three months now and it's hampering my confidence not to mention my relationship with my boyfriend!?!
- Should I go back to my doctors and get re-referred? I'm worried I'm going to look nuts doing so, so am percerving with all sorts of other options in the interim.
- Can you get mucocele removed under general anaesthetic in the UK? I'm not good with dentists at all, so the idea of someone poking around in my mouth, cutting my gums and stitching me up, is not appealling in the slightest!?!
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Well...I'm no dentist, but I probably know more about the oral cavity than the average layman should.
Mucoceles are normally caused by "damaged" salivary glands. Gland blockages aren't necessarily damage, but are common...yet they can usually be cleared with minimal issue. Did you bite or poke your lip in the area that you can remember ??
Based on the persistence of this little bugger, you sound like you have an honest to goodness mucocele. If you read any of the older posts, you'll see that I'm a proponent of getting them removed, and even that isn't an iron clad guarantee that it or another one won't come back...however, unless you get lucky, it'll persist if you don't remove it.
Can't speak for the U.K., but I'm betting you can get general anesthesia if the oral surgeon is equipped to do it....just a matter of $$$$.
And don't worry about "looking nuts"...it's your body and ultimately the only person who cares is you. Absolutely nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from another oral surgeon.
Good luck...let us know what you do.
You won't get general anaesthesia for a mucocele on the NHS. You'd have to go privately and pay heaps for that. But removing it with local anaesthesia is a doddle. You don't feel a thing.
Getting re-referred is the way to go. I have had one removed and now have another that has been seen and it's been left to me whether to get it removed or not. As it's small I've left it so far but should it become bothersome, I won't hesitate to go back and get it removed. There's no shame in going back.
