Oral cancer is one of the feared cases in both dentistry and medicine.  It claims an average of 8,000 American lives each year; not to mention 22,000 survivors, being spared to live, but whose mouths and throats have been partially or completely disfigured because of the ramifications of the disease. Oral cancer may impair any of the major parts of the oral cavity, like the tongue, lips, jaws and cheeks. Going deeper, it may also impair speech when the larynx, pharynx and the esophagus become affected by the disease.

Men have been historically more prone to oral cancer than women primarily because certain vices like excessive drinking and smoking are known causes of oral cancer. Oral cancer, like many cancers can be detected early by knowledge of the symptoms associated with it. Dental check-ups are also imperative since it will require an oral health professional’s diagnosis if the case really is cancer.

Symptoms of oral cancer include:

1. A sore that on the lips, gums or inside of the mouth that doesn’t seem to heal and has been there for quite some time.
2. A small, hard (but sometimes soft) lump or mass on the cheek that seems to growing at a fast rate.
3. Prolonged and unexplained swelling of the jaw.
4. A gradual discomfort while wearing dentures or any dental appliances. This may imply lip or oral cavity cancer.
5. Noticeable white or red patches on the lips, gums, tongue or other areas of the mouth. Be sure to thoroughly outlying areas of the mouth.
6. Discomfort when swallowing food or drinking fluids – a similar feeling to when something gets stuck in your throat.
7. Weight loss, which has no association with your eating habits.

If you have been suffering from any of these symptoms, it is better to see a dentist to get a clear diagnosis of your present condition. Be sure to tell your dentist in detail what food and fluids you have been ingesting on a regular basis. Be honest, especially if the dentist asks you if you ever had oral sex. Women often lie their way out of this question. The human papilloma virus (HPV) can easily be transmitted through saliva and ironically, the mouth is the only place where saliva is produced. If the dentist finds grounds to schedule a biopsy, comply.

Oral cancer is usually detected on people ages 45 and older. People with a ripe age of 60 and above are often at the risk of advanced stages of oral cancer. Genetic predisposition and long-winding ancestry can also pave the way for one to acquire oral cancer. Ethnicity too is deemed as a factor – as African American males are statistically more prone to oral cancer than Caucasians and Hispanics.

Symptoms of oral cancer are often overlooked by most people, which may lead the way for later detection of a higher stage of the disease. Once detected at its early stages, one can be immediately medicated and operated for removal of any cancerous lump or other precursors of oral cancer.

But we can’t blame people though. Even at its earliest stage, oral cancer is still hard to detect, and swelling and pain are more likely only be felt by the patient only at a later point in life. There are different types of oral cancers, and a particular treatment is set for each variety, so there will be case-by-case bases, depending on the diagnosis of your dentist and other dental health professionals that you may need to visit. You should also value the worth of your dental health insurance, as it may prove to be your only recourse when the time comes.

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