Oral cancer is part of the larger category of head and neck cancers. Oral cancer can affect your tongue, lips, cheeks, gums, palate, or the bottom of your mouth. Read on to learn more about the different signs of oral cancer and how this disease can be treated. Oral Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of oral cancer include red or white patches on your tongue, lips, or cheeks; mouth sores that will not heal; lumps or growths in your mouth; and pain or tenderness in your mouth. You may also experience bite issues, teeth that feel loose, a sore throat, and difficulty chewing or swallowing. You should come see us if you are showing any of these signs, especially if they do not resolve on their own within two weeks.
Oral Cancer Treatment
When oral cancer is detected early, there is a much higher chance of treating it successfully. Unfortunately, many cases of oral cancer are not caught until they have spread to the neck and lymph nodes during a later stage of development. The first step of diagnosing and treating oral cancer is to take a biopsy of your mouth sore, patch, or growth. If it is cancerous, your treatment might involve a combination of surgery, medication, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Oral Cancer Prevention
There are several factors that can greatly increase your risk of developing oral cancer, including age, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and more. Being aware of your risk factors is especially important in preventing oral cancer. If you drink heavily or use tobacco, talk to your doctor about cutting back or quitting completely. Always use a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from excessive sun exposure. Finally, make sure you keep up to date with your routine dental checkups and let us know whenever you notice any changes to your oral health. Our staff is here to help, so call us today if you have questions.
