Paying attention to changes in your mouth is an important part of your health. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. At iDental Orthodontics and Family Dentistry, we want you to know the warning signs and feel comfortable asking us about them.
Mouth cancer can show up on the lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, or under the tongue. Some signs can also appear in the throat or neck. These changes often have less serious causes, but a dental exam is the best way to find out what’s going on.
7 Signs to Watch For
1. A sore that won’t heal
A sore or ulcer on your lip or inside your mouth that doesn’t go away should be checked.
2. Red or white patches
A new red or white patch on your tongue, gums, or inside your cheeks should be looked at, even if it doesn’t hurt.
3. A lump or thick spot
Tell your dentist about any new lump, swelling, or thickened area in your mouth or on your lips.
4. Bleeding, pain, or numbness
Bleeding with no clear cause, pain that doesn’t go away, or numbness in your mouth or tongue should be checked.
5. Trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking
Let us know if it gets hard to eat, talk, or move your jaw or tongue. The same goes for a feeling that something is stuck in your throat.
6. Changes in your throat, voice, or neck
Watch for a sore throat that won’t go away, a hoarse voice that lasts, or a lump in your neck.
7. Dentures that suddenly don’t fit
If your jaw swells or your dentures start to feel uncomfortable or loose, have them checked.
When to See a Dentist
If a symptom lasts more than 2 weeks, get it checked. Come in sooner if it’s getting bigger, getting worse, or worrying you. You don’t have to wait for your next cleaning.
Having one of these signs doesn’t mean you have cancer. Many other conditions cause similar changes. A checkup helps find the cause and whether you need treatment or more tests.
What Raises Your Risk?
Tobacco and heavy drinking raise your risk, especially when combined.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is linked to cancers at the back of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue.
But mouth cancer can happen to anyone, even people with none of these risk factors. Changes are worth checking whether or not you smoke or drink.
How Your Dentist Can Help
During an exam, your dentist looks for unusual spots and feels for lumps in your mouth and neck. If something needs a closer look, they may suggest more tests or send you to a specialist.
An exam alone can’t confirm cancer. Sometimes a biopsy is needed. That means taking a small piece of tissue and checking it under a microscope.
Book Your Visit
If you’ve noticed any changes in your mouth, don’t wait. When you call, let us know what your symptoms are and how long you’ve had them.
iDental Orthodontics and Family Dentistry, Racine
📞 (262) 223-0280
🌐 www.identalwi.com