If caught early enough, your chances of successfully treating mouth cancer are high. When you see your dentist for regular check ups, your dentist looks for early signs of cancer, but it’s a good idea for you to be aware of these serious warning signs as well, so that you can notify your dentist right away when something doesn’t look or feel right.
Serious Signs of Mouth Cancer
Mouth cancer refers to cancer of not only the mouth, but also the lips, tongue, throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, and sinuses. If any of the following signs are present for more than two weeks, see your doctor or dentist right away.
- Red or white lesions in your mouth or lips
- Sores, swelling, lumps, or thick patches in or around your mouth or throat
- Numbness, pain, swelling, or tenderness anywhere in your mouth
- Feeling like a lump or object is stuck in your throat
- Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue, or trouble with chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Loose teeth or oral bleeding with no apparent reason
Causes of Mouth Cancer
The exact cause of mouth cancer is uncertain, but it is believed that lifestyle choices can increase your risk for developing this cancer. For example, using tobacco of any kind, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco, increases your chances for mouth cancer. The risk is even higher when tobacco use is combine with alcohol consumption.
Your diet can also affect your risk. Mouth cancer more often occurs in people over the age of 40 and who have poor nutrition.
