Black Spot Inside Cheek or Mouth: Cancer Sign or Harmless?

Black Spot Inside Cheek: Is It Cancer or Something Else?

Finding a black spot or dark patch inside your mouth can be alarming. But while a black spot inside the cheek or under the tongue may look concerning, it's rarely a sign of cancer. Here's what could cause a dark spot in your mouth, and when to see a doctor.

What Causes a Black Spot Inside the Mouth?

Some common causes of black spots or patches inside the mouth include:

1. Melanoma

Oral melanoma is a serious form of cancer that can appear as a dark brown or black spot inside the mouth. However, it is quite rare, accounting for less than 1% of all melanomas. It most commonly affects the gums, hard palate, inner cheek, or tongue. See a doctor promptly if a mouth lesion doesn't heal.

2. Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can cause a lace-like pattern of grayish-white lesions or spots in the mouth. Sometimes the spots appear darker in pigmented individuals. While not serious, it can cause discomfort or a burning sensation.

3. Smoking or Tobacco Use

Tobacco products can cause black hairy tongue and dark spots inside the mouth due to overgrowth of yeast and bacteria. Quitting smoking and proper oral hygiene helps clear up these spots.

4. Medication Side Effect

Certain medications like antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs can cause black tongue or dark spots in the mouth. Discontinue the medication and consult your doctor if this occurs.

5. Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

This rare inherited condition causes dark blue or brown spots inside the mouth and on the lips. Spots usually first appear in childhood. Other symptoms include intestinal polyps.

6. Addisons Disease

With this disorder where the adrenal glands dont produce enough hormones, one symptom can be dark pigmentation in skin creases like the gums, tongue, cheek and lips.

7. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

In some people, an area that was inflamed heals with increased pigmentation. This can cause a dark patch inside the mouth after an injury or infection.

8. Amalgam Tattoos

Tiny particles of silver amalgam material from dental fillings can embed in oral tissue, creating a dark blue spot inside the cheek, gums or under the tongue.

9. Melanotic Macules

These harmless dark spots in the mouth are caused by an increase of melanin. Common on the lips and gums, they are not a sign of cancer.

What Does Cancer Inside the Mouth Look Like?

The most common oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Possible signs include:

• A sore, lesion, lump or thick patch inside the mouth that doesn't go away
• A white or red patch that may bleed easily
• A dark spot or area that looks different than surrounding tissue
• Difficulty chewing, speaking or swallowing
• Numbness or pain in the mouth that doesn't get better
• Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well
• Ear and jaw pain
• Weight loss

Oral melanoma may specifically appear as a dark brown to black lesion that grows quickly. See a doctor if you notice any unusual spots, signs or symptoms.

Should I Be Worried About a Black Spot Under My Tongue?

Finding a sudden black spot under the tongue can understandably raise some concerns. Causes could include:

• Oral melanoma - rare but possible, especially if the spot grows rapidly
• Amalgam tattoo - from embedded dental fillings material
• Medication staining - such as from minocycline
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome - dark spots associated with this condition often appear under the tongue
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - after tongue injury or infection

Bring up any unusual spots under the tongue to your dentist or doctor. A biopsy can determine if concerning spots are precancerous or cancerous.

When to See a Doctor

Schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor if you notice any of the following:

• A dark spot or patch inside the mouth that bleeds easily when scraped
• A sore lump or lesion inside the cheek, tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
• An abnormal black or brown area that doesnt go away within 2 weeks
• Difficulty chewing, speaking or swallowing due to a lesion
• Severe pain or discomfort from a mouth sore
• Numbness or odd sensations in the mouth
• Rapid growth of a mouth lesion

Catching oral cancer early greatly improves prognosis. While most dark spots in the mouth arent cancer, its important to get evaluated if you have any concerns.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek prompt emergency medical care if you experience:

• Sudden severe mouth pain or bleeding that doesnt stop
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing that develops rapidly
• Swelling of the jaw, neck or face
• Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face
• A mouth lesion or lump after radiation treatment

These can be signs of a serious issue like an abscess, tumor, hematoma or aggressive cancer warranting urgent assessment.

Can a Dentist Biopsy a Black Spot in My Mouth?

Yes, your dentist can perform a biopsy of any concerning pigmented lesions in your mouth. They will inject a local anesthetic, then take a small sample of the tissue:

• An incisional biopsy removes just a piece of the abnormal area.
• An excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion.

The sample gets sent to a lab for microscopic analysis to determine if it is benign, precancerous or cancerous. Based on those results, your dentist or doctor will advise on any needed treatment.

How to Check for Signs of Oral Cancer

You can perform periodic self-checks for any potential signs of oral cancer:

• Carefully examine all areas of your mouth in a mirror for spots or color changes.
• Feel any lumps or tissue changes with your tongue or finger.
• Pull on your cheek to visualize and feel along the inner surface.
• Feel for lumps or swollen nodes under your jaw and neck.
• Note any difficulty chewing, speaking or swallowing.

See your dentist promptly if you notice any abnormal lesions, pain, numbness or odd sensations in your mouth.

Preventing Black Spots and Lesions

You can lower your risk of developing dark oral lesions and cancer with these measures:

• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Use sun protection for lips.
• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Practice good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing.
• Get regular oral cancer screenings.

Report any concerns over unusual lumps, spots or pain promptly to improve early detection. While most dark spots inside the cheek, gums or under the tongue are benign, it's important to get evaluated.

When to Worry About Black Spots in the Mouth - The Bottom Line

Discovering a dark spot or lesion inside your mouth can be startling. But try not to panic - in most cases, benign causes like smoking, medications or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are to blame rather than oral cancer.

Still, it's wise to point out any unusual pigmented patches, persistent sores or worrisome symptoms to your dentist or doctor, especially if they don't go away within two weeks. Catching early warning signs of oral cancer makes treatment much more effective.

Use the checklist above to perform regular self-checks of your entire mouth. And don't hesitate to get any odd lumps, spots or lesions examined further to determine if a biopsy is needed. When it comes to unusual changes inside your mouth, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.