# Tongue surgery update (aka I'm tired of this crap) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 2, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470 "2012-10-02T13:21:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470/1 "2012-10-02T13:21:29Z")
Had Tongue surgery in early August. Had a mass on the side of my tongue, prevailing wisdom was that it was caused by a cracked molar. Biopsy came back negative. So that’s good. Well it didn’t stay gone. Doctor sliced the growth off again on Friday (8 weeks after original surgery) and cauterized (Blech, icky poo) the wound. Doctor said it was probably scar tissue but sent it to be biopsied anyway. Within 36 hours it was back again and better than ever. Didn’t bother calling and asking for biopsy results, I’m seeing him again this Friday. I can’t believe it’s the tooth, Yes it’s cracked but its not like its hanging at a bad angle. It’s a cracked molar that I take Advil for once in a great while, it’s not a stalagtite (mite??). Anyway, if it was the tooth, one would figure I’d feel myself biting my tongue. I’m gonna make an appointment to get it yanked, although I’d hate to remove teeth if that isn’t the problem. If it’s not the C word, the WTF?? Is there such a thing as a tongue specialist (current doc is ENT)?? I know other folks here (I’m looking at you Purplehorseshoes) have it much much worse but Geesh, what’s a guy need to do to not have mushmouth when I’m trying to interview for new jobs. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470/2 "2012-10-03T00:34:07Z")
See a dentist. I am a dentist and yes a cracked tooth can cause a growth on the tongue. Could be an irritation fibroma. Can happen from rubbing like when eating and talking, don’t have to bite your tongue. Yes always get a biopsy when cutting something off and absolutly if it grows back. Dentist might be able to do something like smooth the rough edge or crown it v. pulling it. ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470/3 "2012-10-03T13:48:29Z")
Dentist visit scheduled monday morning. I don’t feel any raggedity edges on it but I suppose its possible. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470/4 "2012-10-03T14:20:51Z")
I have several small flattish growths on my tongue. I did have one some years ago that was the size of a pea, which was removed and biopsied. In my case, it was an “irritation fibroma,” or just a mass of scar tissue that accumulates from wear against the teeth, or possibly starting as the result of a good ol’ chomp. Once the scar tissue is there, it’s easy for it to start building up with more wear. My dentist measures mine at each cleaning, but so far I’ve only had that one removed. ---
**Author:** ![applebetty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470/5 "2012-10-03T23:04:52Z")
Hope you get better soon! Yuk. BTW, stalagmites are on the ground; stalactites hang from the ceiling, as in they hold tight (tite) to the ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-surgery-update-aka-im-tired-of-this-crap/636470/6 "2012-10-03T23:54:24Z")
You would have no way of knowing whether you grind your teeth in your sleep or not. Fix the tooth!