The 3 Major Signs of Oral Cancer

Signs of Oral Cancer

Do you feel a sore in your mouth that just won’t go away? You may want to get that checked out as soon as possible since it might be a sign of oral cancer. A statistic from the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), states that half of oral cancer patients in the US survive after 5 years, but only if the condition is diagnosed early enough. This is a staggering statistic, so if you are one those who are terrified of the idea of a dentist’s probes inside your mouth, now is the time to shake off that fear. Your life may depend on it.

Your local dentist can easily check for any early signs of oral cancer during your regular checkup sessions and raise the red flag if they find cause for concern. Add this to your list of reasons why regular dental checkups are so important. Though a dentist is definitely your best bet when it comes to identifying early symptoms of oral cancer, you can identify some of these symptoms yourself.

The 3 major signs of oral cancer are:

A sore that does not heal

How annoying is it when you have a sore in your mouth that just won’t go away? It’s almost impossible to eat, drink, and even brush your teeth without wincing. Do not look for an over the counter prescription from your local chemist to address this problem, you may only be patching up a bigger and more serious problem. Get your dentist on the phone as soon as these symptoms begin to manifest, it may just save you a lot more agony and possibly your life.

Red and white patches in your mouth

Any conspicuously colored spots in your mouth should never be ignored. You may spot some red patches in your mouth which feel and look velvety, these are known as erythroplakia and are usually cancerous in 75 to 90 percent of cases.

You may also spot some white patches inside your mouth; this is referred to in dental terms as Leukoplakia. These white patches can be caused by irritants such as tobacco ingestion, a broken denture or a rough tooth. Leukoplakia signifies that some tissues in the mouth has been inflamed and may become malignant. These patches develop slowly over weeks or months, and before you know it - your mouth is all discolored.

A lumpy feeling in your throat

If you have never had a piece of anything stuck in your throat, then it is difficult to relate to this symptom. Take our word for it when we say that the feeling can be agonizingly uncomfortable. Imagine having an adam’s apple on the inside of your throat, inhibiting your ability to swallow properly. A feeling of a lump in your throat is also a major sign of oral cancer; you want to have that checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.  

Any signs of oral cancer need immediate attention. Get a hold of your dentist so that the problem does not continue. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.