When people think about cancer, many don’t realize that there are various types of oral cancers. It’s not a pleasant diagnosis, but oral and maxillofacial surgeons are on the frontline of patient care during the treatment process.
From the front desk to follow-up, our patients’ needs come first at the office of Harmony Dental Implants & Oral Surgery. We are at the forefront of research and use the latest diagnosis and treatment technology to help our patients deal with issues that require our services.
Early detection is essential. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will monitor your mouth for changes, and you should do the same between visits. A suspicious area will be biopsied before a cancer diagnosis is made. Inspect these five areas regularly.
- Tongue: This cancer usually occurs on the surface of the tongue in the mouth or throat. The most typical indications are bumps, thick patches, swollen areas, and problems swallowing and moving the tongue.
- Lips: A common type of mouth cancer, largely linked to long-term sun exposure on the lips. Smokers are especially vulnerable. Considered both skin cancer and oral cancer, it can develop anywhere on the lower or upper lip. Inspect your lips for whitish discoloration, tingling, pain, a sore that won’t heal and numbness.
- Gums: Gum cancer is sometimes misdiagnosed as gingivitis (a form of gum disease that causes inflamed gums). Look for bleeding, cracking, or patches that are dark, red or white.
- Throat: This develops as tumors in the throat, voice box, tonsils or windpipe. Throat cancers manifest as an ongoing sore throat, a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, voice changes, or aching or ringing in the ears.
- Jaw: This rare growth usually emerges as a tumor on the jawbone or in the soft tissues of the mouth and face. It can grow quickly, be painful and shift teeth, and is usually in the molar area.
Knowing the visual and physical symptoms of oral cancers will help you stay on top of your oral health and lead to early detection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Cancer Screening and Treatment
What role does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon play in diagnosing oral cancer?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often perform the biopsy needed to confirm or rule out an oral cancer diagnosis. When a dentist or patient notices a suspicious area in the mouth, throat, or jaw, an oral surgeon can evaluate the tissue and take a sample for laboratory testing, which is the step that actually confirms whether cancer is present.
Which areas of the mouth are most important to check for signs of oral cancer?
The tongue, lips, gums, throat, and jaw are the areas most often affected, so it helps to get in the habit of looking for changes in these spots between dental visits. Persistent bumps, sores, discoloration, or swelling in any of these areas is worth mentioning to your dentist or oral surgeon.
Can gum cancer be mistaken for gum disease?
Yes. Early gum cancer can cause bleeding, redness, or patches that resemble gingivitis, so it is sometimes mistaken for common gum disease at first glance. Gum changes that do not improve with routine brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings are worth having examined more closely.
What symptoms in the throat area should prompt a visit to an oral surgeon?
Cancers affecting the throat, voice box, or tonsils can cause an ongoing sore throat, a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, changes in voice, or ear discomfort that does not go away. Because these symptoms overlap with common illnesses, any that persist for more than a couple of weeks are worth having evaluated by a doctor or oral surgeon.
When should I schedule an appointment about a change in my mouth?
Any sore, lump, patch, or area of numbness that lasts longer than two to three weeks without healing is a reasonable reason to schedule an evaluation. Early evaluation allows a suspicious area to be biopsied and addressed as soon as possible, which supports early detection.
The office of Harmony Dental Implants & Oral Surgery uses state-of-the-art knowledge and technology to perform a complete array of procedures with the utmost care and precision. Please call us today to schedule an appointment.