What Are The Signs of Cancer in The Mouth?

This allows for early detection and treatment, which significantly increases the chances of success. Continue reading to learn more about the signs of cancer in the mouth.

Where Can Oral Cancer Occur?

Oral cancer can occur in any of the following areas within the mouth:

• Gums
• The roof of the mouth
• Tongue (the front two thirds- the back third of the tongue is considered to be part of the throat)
• Underneath the tongue
• Lips
• The insides of the cheeks

What Causes Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer can be caused by a number of different things. The most common causes of oral cancer include:

• Tobacco smoking/chewing
• Excessive alcohol use
• Failure to treat the sexually-transmitted disease known as human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Genetic or hereditary predispositions
• A weak immune system
• Unprotected sun exposure on the lips

Signs to Look For

Oral cancer can be identified by an irritable or painful red or white patch that has an almost velvety feel to the touch inside the mouth. This is known as erythroleukoplakia, and can be a sign of squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral cancer can also be identified by:

• A lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal over extended periods of time
• Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or talking
• Mouth pain
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Numbness in the tongue or cheeks
• Ear pain
• Looseness in teeth
• Swelling

How is Oral Cancer Treated?

Once oral cancer has been identified, it is crucial to begin treatment as soon as possible in order to ensure the greatest chance of success.

Depending on the progression and location of the cancer growth, it will be treated either with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of all three treatments. In most cases, surgery will be done in order to remove the growth from the mouth. Your dentist will then decide if you will need chemotherapy or radiation treatment in order to ensure that the cancerous cells are completely removed.

How Can I Avoid Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer can be avoided by following the guidelines below:

• Avoid tobacco products (cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc)
• Avoid excessive drinking
• Limited exposure in the sun/ensuring that you are protected with an SPF sunblock if you plan to be in the sun for extended periods of time
• Ensuring that you attend your regular dental check ups so that your dentist may conduct oral cancer evaluations
• Conduct self-examinations at home to check for potential signs of oral cancer

If you have a genetic predisposition for oral cancer, it is especially important to ensure that you are receiving regular and thorough oral cancer evaluations. To get scheduled for an examination or to learn more about oral cancer, give us a call at (408) 227-6000.