Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer arises from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. Early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment. People over the age of 45 are at higher risk, but anyone experiencing the following symptoms should consider screening:
- Discolored patches inside the mouth or on the lips, including white or dark red areas
- Unfamiliar lumps or unusual changes in texture
- Canker sores that do not heal, numb patches, or persistent bleeding
- Strange sensations on the tongue, changes in taste, or difficulty swallowing
Risk factors for oral cancer
Several habits and conditions increase the risk of oral cancer:
- Smoking or using tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Heavy or moderate alcohol consumption, especially combined with tobacco use
- Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in the mouth
- Excessive sun exposure, especially to the lips
- Poor diet or eating habits
- Family history of oral cancer
- Oral cancer occurs more often in men than women
- History of leukoplakia, which is a thick white patch inside the mouth
Prevention, detection, and treatment
Treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the suspected cancer.
Spotting early signs
The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect cancer or precancerous changes early. During your exam, your dentist will carefully inspect the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches and suspicious sores. The dentist will feel the tissues inside your mouth for lumps or odd textures and may also check the outside of your throat and neck.
Diagnosis and treatment
If cancer signs are found, further tests may be needed, such as a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is removed for lab analysis. Imaging tests like X rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs may also be used. Treatment for confirmed tumors can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Preventing oral cancer
Reduce your risk by visiting your dentist regularly for exams, quitting tobacco, drinking responsibly, limiting sun exposure, and using protective lip balm. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. During daily brushing and flossing, check your mouth for unusual signs and report any concerns to your dentist 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 risk factors or notice unusual patches, lumps, or sores in your mouth, ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening at your next exam. Early evaluation is key.
Your dentist examines your lips, cheeks, gums, and all sides of your tongue. They will carefully feel for lumps or unusual textures and may also check your face, jaw, throat, and neck for swelling 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. Use gauze or a cotton pad to hold your tongue and check its sides and underside. Feel inside your mouth for lumps, bumps, or unusual textures. If you have sores that have not healed after two weeks, tell your dentist.
Early signs often appear as small, painless, flat patches that may be red, white, gray, or yellow with red edges. These patches can show up anywhere in the mouth including lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, or roof of the mouth. If you notice anything unusual, have it checked by your doctor or Dentist in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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