Cancer. The word itself causes negative feelings to settle within us. No matter where or in which part of the body it lies, it gives us a feeling of hopelessness. Oral cancer is cancer that forms within the mouth or any other area of the oral cavity. All regions that make the oral cavity, i.e., the tongue, inner linings of cheeks, upper area or roof of the mouth, lower area or the area below the tongue, teeth, gums and even your jaw, are affected by it. It is caused by unregulated cell reproduction, which causes the cells to multiply and infect the other cells in the mouth.
In Canada, the occurrence of oral cancer is minimal but not negligible. Around 12 per 100,000 men and 5 per 100,000 women suffer from it every year. About 6% of these occurrences take place among persons under the age of 40 years. While the overall ratio of oral cancer in males to females is 2:1, the ratio is 1:1 for patients under 40 years of age.
Clinical Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Quite often, oral cancer is misunderstood as a less severe infection. The symptoms vary from person to person, but if an individual is experiencing any of the two or three symptoms, they should pay a visit to the doctor. Some of the signs of this particular cancer are:
- Loose teeth
- Pain or difficulty while chewing and swallowing
- Mouth or lip sores that do not heal and bleed
- Red and white patches inside the mouth or on the linings of the cheek
- Lumps inside the mouth
- Pain in the ears
- Unintentional weight loss
- Numbness or bleeding from the mouth
- Changes in voice or problems while speaking
People with oral cancer may feel pain in the mouth, neck and face while swallowing. Apart from the signs mentioned above, ulcers, bad breath, red or white plaques, coughing and enlarged neck lymph nodes are also some common symptoms of oral cancer.
Since its symptoms and signs are such, people often mistake oral cancer for common allergies, toothaches or mouth soreness. But it is important to note that if these symptoms continue to persist, one must see a doctor before it develops and turns serious. Get a check-up as early as possible before cancer can take a turn for the worse. If you ignore the potential signs, they can cost more damage to your overall health.
At Home of Smiles Dental Clinic, you get to pay a visit any day you want as we are open all week. If you are a first-time patient, you are allowed a visit to see the process or treatment virtually or in person. Along with the solutions and remedies, you can opt for personalized dental care from our attentive and compassionate team of staff. So book your appointment today!