What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is characterized by a condition wherein cancer develops in any part of the mouth, back of the throat or lips.
Who is at a Risk of Developing Oral Cancer?
Factors that increase your chances of developing oral cancer include:
- Drinking alcohol
Heavy use of alcohol increases the chances of developing oral cancer.
- Use of tobacco products
Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or chewing tobacco or using snuff increases the risk for mouth cancer.
- Getting too much sun
Exposing yourself to too much sunlight can increase your chances of developing lip cancer.
- Eating an unhealthy diet
An unhealthy diet is the root cause of almost all medical conditions, including certain types of cancers.
- Age
If you are 40 years of age, you are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer.
- Gender
Men are at a higher risk of developing mouth cancer than women.
What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
The signs and symptoms include:
- A white or red bump or patch in the mouth
- A sore, irritation, lump, rough spot or thick patch anywhere in the throat, mouth, or on the lips
- A feeling that something is stuck in the throat
- Problem moving the jaw or tongue
- Problems with chewing or swallowing
- A painful or numb tongue
- Numbness in other parts of the mouth
- A swollen jaw
- Pain in the ear without loss of hearing
- Ill-fitting dentures
- Color change of the mouth
- A lip or mouth sore which bleeds easily or won’t heal
Although these symptoms of mouth cancer may also point toward less serious health conditions, however, if you experience these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, consult a specially trained dentist at Brighton Implant Clinic for an evaluation.
Visit Your Dentist For Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups at Brighton Implant Clinic can help you stay satisfied with your dental health. At every check-up, the dentist will examine your mouth for symptoms of any precancerous spots or any other condition that can cause serious consequences.