The Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer develops from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. When detected early, oral cancers have a high success rate for treatment. People over the age of 45 are at the greatest risk, but regardless of age, you should consider an oral cancer screening if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Discolored patches inside your mouth or on your lips, including white or dark red spots
- Unusual lumps or changes in texture
- Canker sores that do not heal, numb areas, or persistent bleeding
- Strange sensations on the tongue, changes in taste, or difficulty swallowing
The Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Several habits and conditions increase the risk of oral cancer. These include:
- Smoking or using tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco
- Drinking alcohol heavily or moderately, especially when combined with tobacco use
- Possible infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in the mouth
- Excessive sun exposure, especially to the lips
- Poor diet or unhealthy eating habits
- Family history of oral cancer
- Oral cancer is more common in men than in women
- A history of leukoplakia, which is a thick, white patch inside the mouth
Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Oral Cancer
Treatment plans vary depending on the severity, type, and location of the suspected cancer.
Spotting Early Signs of Cancer
The purpose of oral cancer screening is to find cancer or precancerous conditions early. During the exam, your dentist will inspect the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. Your dentist will also feel the tissues inside your mouth for lumps or unusual textures and may check the outside of your throat and neck for any lumps.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If signs of cancer appear during screening, further testing may be needed. This can include a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is taken for lab analysis, or imaging tests such as X rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI. Treatment for confirmed tumors might include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Prevention of Oral Cancer
You can reduce your risk of oral cancer by taking several steps. Visit your dentist regularly for exams, avoid tobacco products, limit alcohol consumption, protect your lips from the sun using UV blocking lip balm, maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and check your mouth regularly for unusual signs or symptoms so you can report concerns promptly.
Prevention, detection and treatment of oral cancer
Treatment will be planned on a case by case basis and will heavily depend on the severity, type and location of the suspected cancer.Spotting early signs of cancer
The goal of an oral cancer screening is the early detection of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. During the exam, your dentist will look over the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. Your dentist will also feel the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or odd textures and may also feel the outside of your throat and neck for lumps.
Diagnosis and treatment
If signs of cancer are detected during your oral screening you may be asked to undergo additional testing such as a biopsy (where a small piece of the suspicious tissue is removed for lab examination) or imaging tests like Xrays, ultrasounds, CT scans or an MRI. To remove confirmed tumours, surgery or chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary.
Prevention of oral cancer
You can take steps now to help prevent oral cancer later. To help reduce your risk of oral cancer see your dentist regularly for routine exams, stop using tobacco products and drink responsibly, be mindful of your exposure to direct sunlight and use U/V protective lip balms, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and veggies and during your routine brushing and flossing rituals, remember to check your mouth for signs or symptoms so that you can report any concerns to your dentist.
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to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any risk factors for oral cancer, it is a good idea to ask for a screening during your dental checkup. If you notice any unusual colored or textured patches, lumps, or sores in your mouth, schedule an appointment promptly for evaluation.
Your dentist will examine your lips and the inside of your mouth, including cheeks, gums, and all sides of your tongue. They will also feel for lumps or unusual textures and may check your face, jaw, throat, and neck for lumps or tenderness.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water. In front of a mirror, examine the roof of your mouth, lips, tongue, and gums. Pull your upper lip up and lower lip down to see behind them. You can use gauze or a cotton pad to hold your tongue and check its sides and underside. Look closely at your gums and use your fingers to feel the inside of your mouth. Look and feel for color changes, lumps, bumps, unusual textures, or tenderness. If you find any sores that have not healed after two weeks, inform your dentist.
Early signs often appear as small, usually painless, flat patches that may be red, white, gray, or yellow with red edges. These patches can appear anywhere in the mouth, including lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, and the roof of the mouth. As a general rule, any unusual spots or sensations should be examined by your doctor or dentist.
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