Signs of Oral Cancer to Watch For

Mouth cancer signs to know

Oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, starts in the cells of the mouth. It can affect the gums, the inside of the cheeks, the lips and the tongue. With oral cancer, tongue changes are often among the first signs people notice, since the tongue is easy to see and feel.

Early oral cancer often doesn't hurt. That's why knowing the signs, and keeping regular checkups, matters. Changes that are caught early are easier to treat.

Oral cancer on the tongue

Signs on the tongue may include a sore or ulcer that won't heal, a white or red patch, a lump or thick area, or numbness and loss of feeling. Some people notice pain when they move the tongue or swallow.

Many tongue changes are harmless. Bite marks, canker sores and a coated tongue are all common. The key difference is that harmless sores tend to heal on their own, while signs of cancer stay or slowly grow.

Oral cancer symptoms checklist

The Canadian Cancer Society lists these possible signs and symptoms:

• A sore or ulcer in the mouth or on the lip that doesn't heal
• Pain in the mouth that doesn't go away
• White, grey or red patches, or mixed red and white patches
• A lump or growth on the lips, in the mouth or on the tongue
• Thickening of the inside of the cheek
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Loose teeth, or dentures that no longer fit
• Numbness of the tongue or lips
• Swelling or pain in the jaw
• Pain when swallowing, slurred speech or a change in voice
• A lump in the neck, or an earache that doesn't go away

When to get it checked

The NHS advises getting checked if a mouth ulcer lasts more than three weeks, or if you have a lump, a red or white patch, or mouth pain that isn't going away. A dentist can assess these, and so can your family doctor. Taking a dated photo of the spot when you first notice it can help you, and them, see whether it is changing.

Try not to panic. These oral cancer symptoms are common and usually have other causes. But checking early is what makes treatment easier, so don't keep waiting for a sore to clear once it has passed the three-week mark.

Who is at higher risk

Anyone can get oral cancer, but the Canadian Cancer Society names these risk factors:

• Smoking tobacco
• Drinking alcohol
• Chewing betel quid or gutka
• Infection with HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Sun and tanning beds, which raise the risk of lip cancer
• Overweight or obesity
• A weakened immune system
• Long-term lichen planus with ulcers

How a dentist checks your mouth

Having a risk factor doesn't mean you'll get oral cancer, and some people with no known risk factors still do. That's why the Ontario Dental Association includes oral cancer screening in a general dental exam. Your dentist looks at your lips, tongue, cheeks, and the floor and roof of your mouth, and checks your face, jaw and neck.

If something looks unusual, the dentist may ask you to return in a couple of weeks to see whether it has healed. If it hasn't, you'll be referred for a biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is tested. A biopsy is how cancer is confirmed or ruled out.

Lowering your risk

You can't control every risk, but these steps help:

• Don't smoke or use any kind of tobacco or betel quid.
• Limit alcohol.
• Use lip balm with SPF and avoid tanning beds.
• Ask your doctor whether the HPV vaccine is right for you.
• Look at your mouth in a mirror once a month.
• Keep regular dental exams, even if you wear full dentures.

Exams in Aurora

If you're in Aurora or nearby and you've noticed a change in your mouth that hasn't healed, book an exam rather than waiting for your next routine visit. Our dentists will take a careful look, explain what they see, and refer you on if anything needs further testing.

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