3 Oral Cancer Signs Not to Ignore

No one wants to hear the word “cancer,” but knowing the signs to look for to get treatment quickly is an important part of protecting your health. For patients in Valencia, West Valley, and Palmdale, CA, the team at Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers wants to provide education about oral cancer signs and symptoms to watch for. If you spot any of these signs, you’ll want to get an evaluation from our Valencia oral surgeons right away.

Growth, Lumps, or Sores

One of the most obvious signs of oral cancer is a growth, sore, or lump in your mouth that won’t go away. This growth can be on the gums, cheeks, or lips. The sooner you get an evaluation, the faster you can treat the problem and be on your way to healing.

Pain in the Mouth or Ear

Many things can cause pain in the mouth, but most of them do require a checkup to treat. For example, you can have pain due to a cavity or injury to the gum, and this needs to be treated. Consistent pain in the mouth, especially without a known cause, is another red flag for oral cancer. However, this pain can also radiate into the ear or even the throat. If you have pain in any part of your body that’s not healing, it’s a good idea to get it checked out. If that pain is in or around the mouth, then get checked out by a dental professional.

Loose Teeth

Adult teeth shouldn’t fall out. If you’re noticing that yours are becoming loose, then it’s a sure sign of some sort of problem. While that problem may not end up being cancer, you’ll want to get it looked at quickly by an oral pathology professional. Even if it’s not oral cancer, the sooner you get treatment, the greater the likelihood that you can save your teeth.

If you suspect that you have oral cancer, act quickly. Early treatment is essential to protecting your health and treating the cancer successfully. If you’re in Valencia, West Valley, or Palmdale, reach out to the team at Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers to schedule an appointment.