Recognizing Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/04/13 - Updated: 2022/04/22

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Early stages of oral cancer can develop without causing noticeable symptoms, dentists offer the most important line of defense against the disease.

Heavy exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and sunlight are linked to oral cancer, which becomes more likely to strike in middle age. Among nonsmokers under age 50, however, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming one of the leading causes of oral cancer.

Introduction

For decades, the incidence of oral cancer has remained nearly constant, partly because it can be difficult to detect. However, during April, Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Disabled World, is joining the national effort to support early recognition of oral cancer symptoms.

Main Content

It can be hard for a patient to know the difference between something to worry about and not. Early stages of oral cancer can develop without causing noticeable symptoms. As gatekeepers to oral health, dentists offer the most important line of defense against the disease, says Samuel H. Gruenbaum, President and Chief Executive Officer of the California based dental HMO.

Heavy exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and sunlight are linked to oral cancer, which becomes more likely to strike in middle age. Among nonsmokers under age 50, however, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming one of the leading causes of oral cancer. Consult a dentist if you notice any symptoms of lip and oral cancer, including:

• Persistent ear ache.
• Swelling of the jaw.
• A hoarseness or change in voice.
• Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well.
• A feeling that something is caught in the throat.
• Unusual bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth or lips.
• Trouble chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw.
• Unspecified or sudden numbness in the oral or facial region.
• A lump or thickening on the lips, gums, or in the neck or mouth.
• A sore on the lip or in the mouth that doesn't heal within 14 days.
• White or red patches or a mix of both on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth.

If your dentist notices an abnormality, he or she may refer you to the appropriate doctors for further tests. If you have any oral health concerns, see a dentist, sooner, rather than later. It could save your life.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.