Protect Your Mouth – Know the Risks of Oral Cancer

Your mouth is a complicated system that is full of living things. This not only lets you enjoy food, but it also tells you important things about your health.

Your tongue is one of these signs. Its main job is to help you speak and swallow, but changes in how it looks or works can be a sign of health problems, such as mouth cancer.

A family dentist in Pacific Beach, San Diego, knows how important it is to get regular checkups to find problems early on. A group of cancers called oral cancer can grow in many parts of the mouth, such as the tongue, lips, gums, and the floor of the mouth.

Even though it might seem hard, knowing the symptoms and signs can give you the power to take action toward early diagnosis and treatment.

Recognize the warning signs. 

Oral cancer can show up in minor ways that look like other, less dangerous diseases. But signs that do not go away need to be looked at. Here are some common danger signs:

  • Mouth sores that will not heal: A sore on the tongue or any other part of the mouth that does not heal in two weeks is a big red flag.
  • Pain or tenderness in the mouth that you can not explain: If you have ongoing pain or tenderness in your mouth, even if there are no spots that you can see, you should see a doctor right away.
  • Lumps or masses: If you notice any lumps or masses in your mouth, tongue, or neck, you should see a doctor right away.
  • White, red, or spotted patches: These strange spots, which are also called leukoplakia or erythroplakia, can show up on the tongue or gums and could mean that there are precancerous or cancerous cells there.
  • Bleeding or numbness: If you suddenly feel numbness or bleeding in your mouth, which you can not explain, you should not ignore it.
  • Problems eating or chewing: If you have sudden trouble eating or chewing, it could be a sign of a problem with your oral health, like cancer.
  • Loose teeth: Losing teeth can happen for many reasons, but it is important to look into any teeth that are becoming loose for no clear reason.

Risk factors to consider. 

Oral cancer can happen to anyone, but some things make it much more likely. Some of these are:

  • Use of tobacco: Tooth cancer is much more likely to happen if you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or bubble gum. Tobacco products contain chemicals that are bad for you and hurt the cells that line your mouth and throat.
  • Too much alcohol: Drinking a lot of alcohol can hurt and upset the soft tissues in your mouth and throat, making them more likely to develop cancer.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection: Some types of HPV, which is a sexually transmitted virus, can raise the chance of getting oropharyngeal cancer, which is cancer of the back of the mouth and throat.
  • Sun exposure: Lips that are exposed to too much sun can make them more likely to get lip cancer.
  • Weak immune system: People whose immune systems are not strong enough, like those with HIV/AIDS or who are getting an organ donation, may be more likely to get mouth cancer.

Early detection saves lives. 

Finding mouth cancer early is very important for good treatment. You have a much better chance of finding and treating oral cancer early if you know the warning signs, know your risk factors, and take care of your oral health.

Do not wait to see your dentist or doctor if you notice changes in your mouth that last longer than two weeks, like sores, lumps, or strange spots. People who have mouth cancer have the best chances of a good result if they get diagnosed and treated quickly.