Each year in the U.S., more than 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer. Oral cancer is cancer that develops in any part of the mouth. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you're male, drink too much alcohol, smoke, or have or have a history of neck or head cancer. Ajax Dental Centre, which is located in Ajax, ON, offers oral cancer screenings to their patients. Dr. Saeid Jafarpour, Dr. Kevin Kwong, and Dr. Azza Elhaddad are some of the top dentists in Ajax, ON. Here are some common symptoms of oral cancer.
1. White/Red Patches in Mouth- Oral cancer may start as a white or red patch in the mouth or throat. White patches are called leukoplakia. Red patches are called erythroplakia. White patches sometimes become malignant. Red patches often become malignant. Mixed red and white patches are more likely than white patches to become malignant.
2. Sores That Don't Heal- One of the symptoms of oral cancer includes a mouth sore that does not heal. Most cases of spots in the mouth are not oral cancer. Canker sores usually heal within a couple of weeks, so any sore in your mouth that lasts longer needs a professional evaluation. If you notice a mouth sore and it doesn't disappear in a few weeks, see your Ajax, ON, dentist as soon as possible.
3. Lumps Inside the Mouth- Signs and symptoms of oral cancer may also include unexplained, persistent lumps, bumps, or masses in the mouth that don't go away. Any lump or mass in your mouth that lasts longer needs a professional evaluation. Lumps inside the mouth can have numerous causes, including traumatic injuries, a bacterial infection or localized abscess, or a cyst of the jaw. Make an appointment with your dentist if you notice a lump in your mouth that doesn't disappear in two weeks.
4. Eating Problems- Difficulty chewing often results from changes to the tongue, mouth, or jaw. Oral cancer may cause this. Oral cancer can also cause swallowing problems. Dysphagia is the medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing. A person with oral cancer may gag, cough, choke or feel pain when trying to swallow. See your dentist if you're having trouble chewing or swallowing.
Ready to take control of your health? If you need to get an oral cancer screening, call Ajax Dental Centre at 905-426-8304 today to schedule an appointment in Ajax, ON. Oral cancer can be serious and sometimes even deadly. If a doctor finds and treats it early, it can be curable. A simple oral cancer screening could save your life.