Oral Cancer
Oral cancer kills 7,000+ Americans each year but, like many cancers, can often be treated if caught early.
Where Oral Cancer Strikes
Oral cancer can occur in any part of the mouth, including your lips, gums, tongue, salivary glands, and throat.
Signs of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can often be difficult to detect in its early stages. However, some signs of oral cancer –– though certainly not always –– may include:
- Mouth pain
- Sores or lesions in the mouth
- Jaw movement difficulty
- Chewing and swallowing difficulty
- Throat pain
- Unexplained bleeding in the tongue, cheeks, or gums
- Specific numb areas of the mouth
Oral Cancer Screening
The first step in treatment always includes regular dental screenings and checkups. Finding a problem early improves your treatment and outcome options.
If a problem is discovered from the screening, your dentist and doctor can examine the affected area and may take a biopsy to determine whether it is oral cancer.
To learn more about this topic or for more information about cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, sedation dentistry or any other dental health related topic, contact one of the Crown Council member dentists. Use the Crown Council Dentist Locator at the left of this page to find one closest to your area.
