As a general and family dentist, I often look at parts of the mouth that most people do not check themselves. While most sores or changes inside the mouth are not cancer, some should not be ignored if they last. Oral cancer can appear on the tongue, gums, lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and other nearby tissues. It can also develop farther back in the throat, where it is harder to notice.
At Northwest Dental Group in Arlington Heights, I want my patients to know which changes need attention. Finding a problem early can lead to faster medical care if needed. If you notice something unusual in your mouth that does not get better, it is better to have it checked than to wait and hope it goes away.
Almost everyone develops an occasional sore inside the mouth. You might accidentally bite your cheek, burn the roof of your mouth with hot food, or develop irritation from a sharp tooth or dental appliance. These problems commonly improve as the tissue heals.
I am more concerned about a sore that lasts for about two weeks or longer without a clear reason. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends seeing a dentist or doctor if possible oral cancer symptoms last more than two weeks.
A sore that does not go away does not always mean cancer. Infections, injuries, inflammation, and other oral issues can cause similar problems. However, any area that does not heal should be checked by a professional.
Another change I want patients to notice is a red or white patch that develops on the gums, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, tonsil area, or other oral tissue.
Some white patches are harmless, while others can be caused by irritation, infection, or other issues. The same goes for red patches. Since unusual red or white patches can also be linked to oral cancer or precancerous changes, they should be checked if they last or have no clear cause.
When I examine a patch, I look at its appearance, location, texture, size, and how long it has been there. If something seems suspicious, it is better to do more tests than to just keep watching it.
Pay attention if you feel a new lump, thick spot, hardened area, or unusual swelling in your mouth, cheek, lip, tongue, or neck.
Sometimes these changes are caused by infections, salivary gland issues, dental abscesses, or other noncancerous problems. But unexplained lumps or thickened areas can also be warning signs of oral or throat cancer. If you have ongoing trouble chewing or swallowing, it should be checked. You might notice swallowing feels harder, food does not go down smoothly, or it feels like something is stuck in your throat even when nothing is there.
Dental problems, throat infections, reflux, muscle conditions, and other issues can cause these symptoms. Oral and throat cancers can cause them as well. The American Cancer Society lists persistent difficulty chewing or swallowing and the sensation that something is caught in the throat among possible symptoms.
When symptoms continue rather than resolving, I do not recommend guessing about their cause.
Unexplained numbness involving your tongue, lip, chin, or another area of your mouth deserves attention, particularly when it is new and persistent.
Temporary numbness can have many causes. For example, dental anesthesia intentionally produces numbness for several hours after treatment. Nerve irritation and dental infections can also affect sensation.
Numbness without an obvious explanation is different. Persistent loss or alteration of sensation is among the symptoms associated with oral cancer and should be evaluated by a dentist or physician.
Your tongue and jaw normally move freely during eating, swallowing, and speaking. New difficulty moving either one can therefore be noticeable.
Jaw problems are common and are frequently related to the temporomandibular joint, muscles, dental infections, or other noncancerous conditions. Even so, unexplained limitation in jaw or tongue movement is included among recognized possible oral cancer symptoms.
I pay particular attention when limited movement occurs along with a lump, persistent sore, unusual patch, swallowing problem, or another unexplained change.
Occasional gum bleeding during brushing can be associated with gingivitis or periodontal disease. Mouth pain can likewise come from cavities, fractured teeth, infections, gum problems, or many other dental conditions.
What should concern you is bleeding or pain that cannot be readily explained, persists, or becomes progressively worse. Persistent mouth pain and unexplained oral bleeding are among the symptoms that may warrant further evaluation.
The important point is not to assume cancer whenever your mouth hurts. Instead, allow me to determine why the symptom is occurring.
Oral and oropharyngeal cancers do not always produce symptoms that you can see in the mirror. Sometimes a persistent sore throat, hoarse voice, or other unexplained voice change can be a warning sign.
Temporary hoarseness with a cold is common. A sore throat caused by an infection also usually improves. Symptoms that continue for several weeks without an obvious explanation are different and deserve medical or dental attention.
Depending on what I find, I may recommend evaluation by an appropriate physician or other health care provider.
A lump in the neck may be caused by swollen lymph nodes during an infection, but a neck mass that does not disappear should not be ignored.
Both the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the American Cancer Society identify a persistent neck lump as a possible sign associated with oral or throat cancers.
If you notice a new neck lump that remains, particularly without an obvious illness, arrange an evaluation.
Patients who wear dentures should also pay attention to sudden changes in fit. Jaw swelling or changes involving oral tissues may cause dentures that previously felt comfortable to begin fitting poorly.
There are many routine dental reasons for denture fit to change. The jawbone naturally changes over time after tooth loss, and dentures themselves may eventually require adjustment or replacement. However, unexplained jaw swelling that suddenly changes denture fit is also recognized as a possible oral cancer symptom.
I can examine the tissues beneath and around the denture to help determine what is happening.
One reason regular dental visits are important is that I can inspect areas of your mouth that may be difficult for you to see. During an oral examination, I can look at the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, and other accessible oral tissues. I can also assess abnormalities that you may have noticed between visits.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a regular dental checkup provides an opportunity for an oral cancer examination, during which a dentist or dental hygienist can inspect the face, neck, lips, mouth, and back of the throat for suspicious changes.
I cannot determine that every suspicious area is cancer simply by looking at it. When I find a lesion or tissue change that concerns me, I can recommend the appropriate next step, which may include additional testing or referral for further evaluation.
A strange spot in your mouth does not necessarily mean something serious is wrong, but a persistent change should not be dismissed. As Dr. Nick Ruggio, I want my patients to tell me about sores that are not healing, unexplained red or white patches, lumps, persistent pain, numbness, unusual bleeding, swallowing difficulties, or any other oral change that concerns them. Examining the area allows me to look for common dental causes and determine whether additional evaluation should be considered.
If you have noticed a persistent sore, patch, lump, change in sensation, or another unexplained problem involving your mouth, gums, tongue, lips, jaw, or surrounding tissues, I encourage you to schedule an examination. Do not assume that an abnormality is cancer, but do not allow a persistent change to go unchecked simply because it is painless.
Contact our Arlington Heights dentist at Northwest Dental Group by calling 847-577-4444 to schedule your exam. I provide general and family dental care in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and serve patients throughout Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove, and surrounding communities.
