Oral cancer can affect your lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of your mouth, roof of your mouth, gums, and throat. Like many other cancers, it’s easiest to treat when caught early — but unfortunately, it often goes unnoticed in the beginning.
Here at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group in Washington, DC, our team has the expertise to identify the warning signs of oral cancer and wants to help you learn them, too. Having this knowledge can make all the difference.
Oral cancer can show up in a few different ways. If you notice any of the following symptoms that don’t go away after two weeks, book an evaluation with our team as soon as possible:
One of the most common early signs is a sore or ulcer in your mouth or lip that doesn’t heal, even after a couple of weeks.
Ongoing mouth pain or soreness without an obvious cause could be a red flag.
A lump, bump, or area of thickening in your mouth, throat, or neck might signal something abnormal.
Red or white patches on your gums, tongue, or lining of your mouth can be precancerous and shouldn’t be ignored.
If it becomes uncomfortable to chew, swallow, or move your jaw or tongue, it could be a sign that something more serious is going on.
Feeling numbness in your tongue, lips, or other areas of your mouth is another possible symptom.
If your voice changes and stays that way for more than two weeks, especially when paired with throat discomfort, it's worth getting it looked at.
If your teeth feel loose for no reason or your dentures no longer fit properly, these oral health changes could be cancer-related.
Tobacco use (smoking and chewing), heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, and prolonged sun exposure (for lip cancer) are all known risk factors for oral cancer. But it can occur even if you have none of these risk factors.
The key to catching oral cancer early is to watch for unusual changes in your mouth and seek our medical advice when something doesn’t feel right. Regular dental checkups with our team are also important. We’re trained to spot early signs during routine exams.
While the thought of oral cancer might sound frightening, early detection allows for treatment and healing. It can even save lives.
If you’re experiencing any oral health concerns, don’t wait — get them checked out now. Call our Washington, DC, office today to schedule an appointment.
