Oral cancer is a serious health condition that affects various parts of your mouth, such as the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. While cancer is a dangerous disease, early prevention is the best way to stop its progression.
For early intervention, you need to understand its signs first. The symptoms may seem minor initially, but underlying causes might be serious. Knowing what to look for can help you take swift action before the condition worsens.
In this blog, we will be discussing some of the most common warning signs of oral cancer that you should never ignore.
Mouth Sores That Does Not Go Away Easily
Mouth sores are a common occurrence. It can happen from biting your cheek, irritation from braces, or minor infections. However, if your mouth sore does not heal within a maximum of two weeks, it can be a sign of oral cancer.
Cancerous lesions persist in your mouth and also bleed easily. These sores can be painless in the early stage, but as they grow over time, they become tender and cause discomfort. If you notice sores that do not go away within a few weeks, consult with a professional.
Unexplained Lumps in Your Mouth
A lump, swelling, or thickened area inside your mouth or on the neck can be another warning sign of this cancer. It is difficult to spot them earlier because they often come without any pain. However, when you are aware of this sign, you can keep a close eye on lumps. These lumps might feel when you touch them. One vital sign is that you feel discomfort and difficulties while chewing and speaking with such lumps in your mouth.
To identify these lumps on time, you should be having regular dental checkups with your dentist. Your dentist will know which areas to focus on and what might be a potential warning sign of cancer.
Red or White Patches in Your Mouth
If you notice changes in the color of oral tissues, run to your dentist. You might notice two things:
- Leukoplakia: White patches that cannot be scraped off.
- Erythroplakia: Red patches that might appear inflamed.
These patches can form anywhere in the mouth. Not all red and white patches are signs of oral cancer. However, if you see the patches are not healing with enough time, you should be extra cautious.
Continuos Sore Throat
A sore throat that lasts longer than two weeks without any improvement might signal something more serious. Constantly feeling like something is stuck in the throat, along with sudden weight loss and chronic coughing, should never be ignored as something minor. Consult a dentist if your symptoms persist even after normal treatments for sore throat.
Numbness or Unexplained Pain in the Mouth
In 2022, around 54,000 people were diagnosed with oral cancer in the USA.
Oral cancer can sometimes cause numbness in the lips, tongue, and other such areas in your mouth. This occurs due to nerve involvement as the disease progresses. In addition to this numbness, you might feel excruciating pain in your mouth, jaw, and ear. While this pain can be linked with other issues, a professional consultation can never be bad. A quick dental visit and you will know if it is something to worry about or not.
These are some of the most prominent signs of oral cancer. Keep an eye out for these and visit a nearby dental clinic if you suspect any of these. Remember, taking proactive steps today can save your oral health tomorrow.
