The signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer involves abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. Early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment. People over 45 are at greatest risk, but regardless of your age, you should consider screening if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Discoloured patches in your mouth or on your lips, including white or dark red areas
- Unfamiliar lumps or unusual changes in texture
- Canker sores that do not heal, numb patches, or persistent bleeding
- Unusual tongue sensations, changes in taste, or difficulty swallowing
The risk factors for oral cancer
Several behaviours and conditions increase the risk of oral cancer, including:
- Smoking or using tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Heavy or moderate alcohol consumption, especially combined with tobacco
- Possible human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the mouth
- Excessive sun exposure or a lifestyle with frequent sun exposure
- Poor diet or unhealthy eating habits
- Family history of oral cancer
- Oral cancer is more common in men than women
- History of leukoplakia, which is a thick, white patch inside the mouth
Prevention, detection, and treatment of oral cancer
Treatment depends on the severity, type, and location of the suspected cancer. For trusted, thorough oral cancer screenings and expert care, visit your Dentist in Mississauga.
Spotting early signs of cancer
The goal of screening is early detection of cancer or precancerous conditions. During the exam, your dentist will inspect the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. They will also feel the tissues for lumps or unusual textures and may check the outside of your throat and neck.
Diagnosis and treatment
If cancer signs are found, additional tests such as a biopsy (removal of a small tissue sample) or imaging like X rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI may be needed. Treatment might involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Prevention of oral cancer
You can reduce your risk by visiting your dentist regularly for exams, quitting tobacco, drinking responsibly, protecting your lips from sun exposure with U/V protective balms, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and checking your mouth for unusual signs during your daily oral care.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any risk factors or notice unusual patches, lumps, or sores in your mouth, ask your dentist for screening. Early detection is key.
Your dentist examines your lips, cheeks, gums, and all sides of your tongue, feeling for lumps or unusual textures. They may also check your face, jaw, throat, and neck.
Wash your hands and, in front of a mirror, examine the roof of your mouth, lips, tongue, and gums. Lift your upper lip and lower lip to look behind them. Use gauze or a cotton pad to hold your tongue and check its sides and underside. Look and feel for colour changes, lumps, bumps, unusual textures, or tenderness. Tell your dentist if you have any sores that have not healed after two weeks.
Small, usually painless, flat patches that may be red, white, gray, or yellow with red edges. These can appear anywhere in the mouth including lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth. If anything looks or feels unusual, have it checked by your doctor or dentist.
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