Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

HPV or fordyce granules

04/11/2008

Question:

OK, let me first off start with my Girlfriend has HPV and I have had oral sex with her. I recently went to my doctor because I had bumps in my mouth, not really scared just concerned. Then slow but surely I started to develop white bumps on the corners of my mouth. The bumps started to appear top and bottom of my lips. Upon further ivestigaton I noticed I had a bumpy surface on my actually gum on top of my two front teeth. I went to one dentist and he told me that I had Canker Sores on the top of my gums, and didnt have an answer for me about the cheeks. I then told him that my girlfriend had HPV and then he told me that it was from that. He never mentioned to me that I needed to get a biopsy to make sure. I then proceeded to go to a dermatologist and he told me that I had Fordyce Spots on my lips and he didnt know what was on my gum but it wasnt warts. He “attempted” to remove the fordyce spots by burning them and it didnt work. I then went to an oral specialist and he told me that I didnt need a biopsy because I had Fordyce Granules. I dont know who to believe. Not knowing whats going on and having so many people tell me different things is really driving me up the wall. My doctor told me to get a biopsy done and I tried to do that and the Oral Surgeon told me I didnt need it. What does HPV in the oral cavity feel like? Ive done so much research and come up with somethings that hoenstly make me not want to step outside my house again. Im scared and need help.

Answer:

I’m not sure which “oral specialist” you saw, but if it was an oral pathologist, that is the person whose opinion would mostly likely be correct in this situation. Oral condyloma (genital warts) can occur through oro-genital contact, but this is relatively uncommon. The lesions are usually not subtle, ranging from the diameter of a pencil eraser up to the diameter of a quarter. They are raised, pink to reddish, demarcated flat bumps that stick up about an eighth of an inch from the lining of the mouth. The surface is finely bumpy, sort of like a cauliflower. Usually 2-5 lesions are present.

If you haven’t seen an oral pathologist, it would probably be a good idea to do so. Even though what you are describing doesn’t sound like oral condyloma, it would be good to put your mind at ease.

For more information:

Go to the Dental and Oral Health (Adults) health topic.