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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Injuries/Fractures/Cuts > Black bump in cheek
Posted on: 05/28/2010
Question
I have a question and I'm very scared right now. I found a black bump thing on the inside on my mouth on my cheek. What could it be? Syphilis? Because I don't remember biting my cheeks lately.
Answer
It is most certainly not syphilis. As you thought, most likely it's a bruise, and that should slowly resolve. Another possibility is an amalgam tattoo, which can happen during dental fillings. You can also get pigment inside the mouth from certain medications that you take. If you are dark-skinned, you can develop dark spots in the mouth naturally. Lastly, you can sometimes develop melanoma inside the mouth, although it's rare, so you do need to have it looked at to determine exactly what it is. Go see either your dentist, a dermatologist, or an ear-nose-throat surgeon. Good luck and let me know what it was!
As an aside, if you are worried about syphilis, most likely you are having unprotected intercourse (no condom). You should start using a barrier method such as a condom during sex, and also see your regular doctor to make sure that you don't have any sexually transmitted diseases. If you can't bring this up with your family doctor (and believe me, they've heard it all before, so don't feel embarrassed), you can also get checked at your local Planned Parenthood clinic.
As an aside, if you are worried about syphilis, most likely you are having unprotected intercourse (no condom). You should start using a barrier method such as a condom during sex, and also see your regular doctor to make sure that you don't have any sexually transmitted diseases. If you can't bring this up with your family doctor (and believe me, they've heard it all before, so don't feel embarrassed), you can also get checked at your local Planned Parenthood clinic.