Early Signs Of Mouth Cancer
Posted on: 2 August 2016
The chance of surviving oral cancel is good. According to the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), around 60% of United States oral cancer patients recover after five years. Catching it early is important to be in this statistic, which means you need to look out for these early signs of mouth cancer.
M is for Mouth Pain
Not all pain will need medication. Some of it will be a slight discomfort, like the feeling of something constantly stuck in your throat. This is often ongoing, and may be accompanied by a difficulty in swallowing. Some patients state that they feel a burning feeling while trying to swallow and sometimes chew.
O is for Oral Numbness
Do you get to the point where you can't feel certain parts of your mouth? This could be along the cheek, in the back of the throat or even at the tip of your tongue. The numbness may also be accompanied by tingling feelings before and after.
U is for Ulcers
Ulcers are common in people who suffer from stress or have poor dental hygiene. However, they should heal, whether on their own or with some medical help. Those that fail to heal should be checked immediately. The ulcers won't always be painful, but those that don't heal are one of the two most common mouth cancer symptoms, according to Cancer Research UK.
T is for Tooth Loss
It is difficult for some people to attribute this as a mouth cancer early warning, as they may already have tooth loss or decay problems. Keep an eye on your teeth, especially when accompanied with the previous symptoms mentioned. If you have good oral health generally and are suffering tooth loss, you will want to get the reason checked further.
H is for Husky Voice
What is your speech like? Do you often feel like it's hard to get your words out, maybe due to a husky or hoarse voice? This is another common early sign of mouth cancer, sometimes accompanied by a lump somewhere in your mouth or throat. You may also feel like the pain is preventing you from speaking, or there may be lesions in your mouth making it a problem.
If you notice the five signs above, you need to get your oral health checked. These signs do not just mean cancer, and are linked to other oral problems like fungal infections and tooth decay. Speak to your dentist and doctor to get to the root of the problem. To learn more, contact a dentist like Paul Dona DDS.
Share