Does Oral Cancer Hurt?

Oral cancer is a form of cancer that appears in the mouth and throat.  It can be influenced by a variety of factors and the treatments can vary as well.  If left untreated it will likely spread to other parts of the body and can be deadly.  But how do you know what to watch for?  Your St. Charles cosmetic dentist wants you to understand that even though oral cancer can be painful, it doesn’t always hurt in the early stages.  That is why it is important to have regular dental exams in order to evaluate your mouth and look for early signs of oral cancer.  The earlier it is detected, the more successfully it can be treated.

There are several painless symptoms of oral cancer that may appear in your mouth.  You may notice that you have a lump or bump in your mouth.  Red or white patches may appear.  Abnormal bleeding or numbness may also occur.  Those symptoms can appear without any pain at all. Making yourself familiar with the appearance of your oral soft tissues and avoiding risky lifestyle habits can help you in battling this disease.

In addition to tobacco products, alcohol can also play a role in oral cancer.  Mixing alcohol and tobacco can increase your risk of oral cancer as well as many other types of cancer.  It is also important to know your family history.  The risk of oral cancer increases if someone in your family has suffered from the disease.

Regardless of your symptoms, and with or without pain, your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening to assess your risk.  Don’t wait until it hurts because every second counts when you are dealing with cancer.  Instead, schedule a checkup with your cosmetic dentist in St. Charles today to keep your mouth healthy and detect oral cancer before it’s too late.