Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a serious disease that can affect all parts of the mouth. If you suspect you have this condition, you should visit a general dentistry professional or doctor right away. Some people are more prone to getting the disease than others. There are also clues that should give you a good idea that you are on the verge of getting the disease or that you need treatment. Fortunately, if a doctor identifies it early enough, you can recover and enjoy your daily life without pain and discomfort.
What are the risks?
Like all types of cancers, some habits or activities increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. It is helpful for people to be familiar with these, so they can make the necessary changes. Age can play a major role in contracting the disease. Older people in their 50s and 60s have the greatest risk of getting oral cancer. Smoking and drinking alcohol can bring on this type of cancer as well. People who spend a lot of time outdoors should be careful not to have too much sun exposure. Prolonged direct contact with ultraviolet light can make a person prone to getting the disease.
Sores in the mouth
Oral cancer can attack any part of a patient’s mouth, including the cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, tonsils and gums. Red and white sores are common among oral cancer patients. These sores can remain in the mouth for weeks and can increase in size and intensify in color. Unlike other types of sores in the mouth, these do not easily go away.
Pain and discomfort
Cancer usually brings pain to the patient, and cancer of the mouth is no exception. The pain can start in the jaw. It is often present while eating when it can hurt to chew or swallow. Even the tongue and neck can be painful. Swelling will often accompany the pain and irritation.
Something is stuck
People may sometimes take too big of a bite and not chew it enough. This can make it hard to swallow and something may even get stuck in the throat. However, if a person has oral cancer, these sensations may persist all the time. There may not even be any food in the throat, but it could be a lump or tumor that is causing the feeling.
You need a checkup to look for oral cancer
If you have any of these symptoms, it is critical to act quickly and not put off a visit to the dentist or doctor. The longer you wait, the greater the likelihood of more serious problems developing. Your dentist or doctor can identify whether you have the disease. From there, a treatment plan can map out what you can expect. Recovery is possible, no matter how large the tumor may be. Call your doctor today, so you can start to attack this disease and reduce the pain and discomfort you are feeling.
Request an appointment here: https://lincroftvillagedental.com or call Lincroft Village Dental Care at (732) 842-5005 for an appointment in our Lincroft office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
The idea of having to get a tooth extraction may spark anxiety in patients, however, they are often necessary in order to restore good oral health. While the extraction itself can cause discomfort, the part that patients should get familiar with is the healing process. After the procedure is complete, the wound will have to…
All-on-4 implants® is an excellent option for people looking for a permanent smile. They are increasing in popularity and are an ideal dental procedure for those who don’t want many implant posts or dentures. Dentures can often move around or need to be resized, resulting in frequent dental visits. All-on-4 provides patients with a same-day…
If you are missing at least one or more teeth, you may qualify as a candidate for dental implants. Dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. Having missing teeth can harm your oral health, and untreated tooth loss can interrupt your chewing ability and even affect the structure of your mouth. If…
Your dentist might recommend dental sealant if some of your teeth are vulnerable to decay. These restorations serve as a barrier that keeps food particles, bacteria, and acids out of the grooves of their biting surfaces.Oral bacteria feed on the sugars in food particles stuck on teeth after meals, and they excrete acids that cause…