Yes, early detection of mouth cancer oral cancer is critical for successful treatment, and recognizing the warning signs can save lives. Mouth cancer can affect the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, floor or roof of the mouth, and the throat. At Elite Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Oklahoma, Dr. Jeremy Egan, DMD, MD, emphasizes the importance of regular oral exams and being alert to any unusual changes in your mouth. Early Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer Persistent Sores That Dont Heal Any ulcer or sore in your mouth that lasts longer than 2 weeks should be evaluated. Sores may bleed easily and not improve with basic treatment. Lumps or Thickened Areas A lump, thickened area, or rough patch in the mouth, cheek, or neck may be a warning sign. These areas may feel firm and painless or cause mild discomfort. White or Red Patches Leukoplakia: White patches that dont wipe away. Erythroplakia: Red patches, often more concerning than white patches. Mixed red and white patches can also indicate precancerous or cancerous changes. Pain or Difficulty Swallowing or Chewing Ongoing discomfort when eating, swallowing, or speaking should not be ignored. Loose Teeth or Dentures That No Longer Fit Properly Unexplained mobility in teeth or a change in how your dentures fit may suggest changes in the underlying tissues or bone. Numbness or Tingling in the Mouth or Lips A persistent sensation of numbness or tingling could be a sign of nerve involvement from a lesion. Sore Throat or Hoarseness That Doesnt Go Away Especially if it lasts more than a few weeks and isnt related to a cold or allergy. Jaw Pain or Stiffness Difficulty opening your mouth fully or chronic jaw discomfort may signal a deeper problem. Swollen Lymph Nodes in the Neck Painless but persistent swelling in the neck can indicate oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Risk Factors for Oral Cancer Tobacco Use cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco Alcohol Use, especially when combined with tobacco Human Papillomavirus HPV, particularly HPV-16 Age 40+ though younger people can develop it, especially with HPV exposure Excessive Sun Exposure linked to lip cancer Family History or Previous Oral Lesions When to See a Specialist If you notice any of the symptoms listed above lasting longer than 2 weeks, especially if theyre getting worse, its important to schedule an evaluation. Dr. Egan is experienced in diagnosing and managing oral pathology and can perform a thorough oral cancer screening, including a biopsy if needed. Oral Cancer Screening At Elite Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Oklahoma, oral cancer screenings are a routine part of your care, particularly if you're in a high-risk group. These screenings are quick, noninvasive, and can help detect cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Bottom Line Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. If you notice any unusual changes in your mouth, lips, or throatespecially ones that persistdont delay. Contact Dr. Jeremy Egan and the team at Elite Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Oklahoma for an expert evaluation and peace of mind.

When you see your dentist, most dentists will do a manual and visual examination. The manual exam includes palpation of the inside of your mouth, floor of your mouth, lymph nodes of your head and neck and visual examination of your tissues. Our office has the VELscope(R) Exam Light. This light examines the surface of mouth tissues and suspect areas are sent out for BIOPSY. There are similar lights for surface examination. Plain visual surfaces exams are not accurate. Suspect tissue reflects a specific light in a particular manner. It is important that you inform your dentist if you are or were a smoker or if you chew or chewed tobacco and if you are still doing it.

We look for anything abnormal in the mouth. NO ONE knows until a sample is under the microscope. It does have a common appearance. Get a professional opinion.

Apply these rules of color, consistency, size Kama position whether it is on one side or both sides of the mouth, duration that it has been present, and marginal outline of elysion itself. These are pathologic signs that your doctor will diagnose and that you will pay to find out. Suffice it to say if you notice changes over a period of time it needs to be professionally looked at this is not something to spit ball. Microscopic examination the cellular component of the lesion itself and the proper medication or possible surgery and excision to biopsy it is completed

Mouth cancer can be either a lump or an ulcer that does not go away. Don't wait on getting this examined because early detection is critical to success. When the lesion grows to a size greater than a marble, the survival rates drop dramatically. If you think you have mouth cancer, get it checked immediately by an oral surgeon.

White patches which do not clear within three weeks. Non-healing lesions that bleed easily with little trauma. Lesions that continue to expand after three weeks. Most common in smokers, frequent alcohol consumers, HPV16.

There are a number of signs: ulcers that do not go away, swelling of a long duration are a few. Our office screens patients with the Velscope, which detects changes on a cellular level before they are apparent to the naked eye. It is a painless process that involves a fluorescing light.