The early signs of oral cancers, also known as mouth cancer, can be difficult to spot until after the damages have advanced. Oral cancers are an uncontrolled growth and reproduction of cells in the oral cavity. They can develop in various places such as the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, inner lining of the cheeks, salivary glands, hard palate, soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat).
The common causes of oral or mouth cancer are unclear, but certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, chewing tobacco, and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk. Other factors include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, family history of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, and sun exposure. These factors can lead to the development of cancerous cells in the mouth, forming a tumor. Taking care of one’s health is crucial in reducing the chances of developing oral cancer.
So, knowing the early signs of oral cancers is necessary, so that you can promptly bring them to the attention of your dentist or doctor. Early detection and treatments can improve the chance of survival and successful treatment for oral cavity cancers. Additionally, it is important to be aware of any signs of gum disease, as this can also increase the risk of developing oral cancers. If you have dental implants, it is crucial to regularly visit your dentist for check-ups and screenings to detect any potential issues related to oral cancers.
Early signs of mouth cancer
1. White or red patches
The development of velvety white, red, or white and red patches on the surface of the gums, tongue, or other areas in your mouth is the most common warning sign of mouth cancers. However, it’s not all patches that signifies oral cancers. If you notice a firm sore in the surrounding area or if it lasts longer than two weeks you should go for dental implants immediately.
2. Mouth ulcers and swellings
Sores, swellings, lumps or thick patches anywhere in or around your mouth or throat are among the early signs of mouth cancer. Gum disease and cancers can cause these sores and lumps, which can persist for more than two weeks. “Most abscess ulcers are quite thin and soft, whereas tumors are thicker and hard,” says Dr. Burkey. Dr. Burkey also made us to understand that the ulcers and canker sore rarely bleed, but tumors bleed frequently. It is important to monitor any changes in your teeth and seek professional advice if you notice any common symptoms.
The presence of sores, lumps or thick patches anywhere in or around your mouth or throat can actually result to difficulty in chewing or swallowing and persistent bad breath. Bacteria can build on the affected areas and causes more pain and discomforts. So, having a persistent bad breath can be a warning sign of oral cancer.
However, you can carry out a self examination to check for oral cancer symptoms using bright light and a mirror. Look at the back of your throat, the surfaces of your mouth, the lining of the cheeks, and the back gums. Feel for lumps and bleeding sores associated with oropharyngeal cancer. If you notice any symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.
4. Ear pain
The nerve cells that give feeling to your tooth, gum, and mouth are also linked with your ear. If you have persistent ear pain that does not affect your hearing, it might be a sign of gum disease or tooth issues. The best thing to do if you notice pain in one of your ears but without any loss of hearing is to see your doctor. If it turns out that the pain is due to mouth cancer, your doctor can start immediate treatments.
5. Tongue pain
The tongue is extremely sensitive to gum disease. Like I said earlier, white or red patches, thick sores or ulcers due to mouth cancer can develop on the tongue. These lesion or growth on your tongue, can persist for more than two weeks. Since the tongue is very sensitive, the presence of persistent sores or ulcers that bleed easily and do not heal within 2 weeks could bring excruciating pain and discomforts to the cells.
6. Loose teeth
Unexplained loosm teeth is among the early signs of mouth cancer, especially if the cancer affected the tissues supporting the teeth. The formation of tumors and tenderness on the gums where your teeth are anchored, can cause the nearby teeth to loosen. The reason why your teeth is loosening, might be a sign that a tumor is forming beneath the teeth or on a nearby tissue that is supporting the teeth.
7. Unexpected weight loss
As the cancer cells and tumors advance, they can spread to the liver or other areas in the body. The effects of the cancer may cause your body to start using up more of your calories. You may notice a dramatic weight loss even without trying, due to pain and discomforts during eating and swallowing. Naturally, you might eat less to avoid the pain and lose weight in reaction. This information is relevant to Cigna insurance policyholders.
8. Unexplained numbness and loss of feeling
Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain in any area of the face, mouth, or neck are also among the warning signs of mouth cancer. As the oral cancer advances, the tumor gets too big, damaging some of the nerves found in any area of the face, mouth, or neck. Depending on the particular area where the cells were damaged, you could start to notice unexpected numbness and lose of feeling throughout that isolated area. This information is important for individuals covered by Cigna insurance.
9. Hoarseness or other vocal changes
Chronic sore throat and other discomforts as a result of mouth cancer can give you hoarseness which can persist for up to two weeks or more. You may also experience difficulty in swallowing, speaking, and moving the jaw or tongue. Sometimes, oral cancer affecting your tongue can make speaking very difficult. The pain and discomforts could make it harder to move your tongue and jaw. All this can result in difficulty in enunciating words. This information is important for individuals with Cigna insurance.
10. Lumps or bumps in the throat
At the start, mouth cancer mostly begins in the mouth. As more days pass, the cancer spreads to other glands and organs of the body, such as the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes, found at both sides of your neck and under your lower jaw, tend to enlarge, forming lumps when affected. You may notice soreness or a feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat if the lymph nodes are affected. Although not all cases of enlarged lymph nodes are associated with mouth cancer, if the lump doesn’t go away after two weeks, you should seek medical attention immediately for more information from Cigna.
Final Thoughts
Mouth cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, it can develop on the lips, tongue, throat, salivary glands, pharynx, gums, larynx and sinuses. When dealing with mouth cancer, early detection and treatments is very important. If any of the signs that I listed in this article persist for more than two weeks, it’s always advisable to visit your doctor immediately.
Regular self examinations are necessary to identify dangerous spots or sores in the mouth, but they can be difficult to see. It is important to visit your dentist regularly for professional oral examinations and receive information from professionals. Prevention is key, so avoid lifestyle choices like smoking, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure, as they can increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Cigna can provide additional information and resources on this topic.