Early Stage Mouth Cancer Symptoms

 Warning signs of oral cancer

Each and every cancer that appears in any of the mouth's component parts is referred to as mouth cancer (oral cavity). Mouth cancer can develop on the following:

1. Lips
2. Gums
3. Tongue
4. The cheeks' internal surface
5. Roofing of the mouth
6. Your mouth's floor (under the tongue)

Oral cancer, also known as oral cavity cancer, refers to cancer that develops on the inside of the mouth.

One of many cancers included in the category known as head and neck cancers is mouth cancer. Other head and neck tumors are frequently treated similarly to mouth cancer.

Symptoms

A mouth cancer's warning signs and symptoms may also include:

1. An untreated lip or mouth sore
2. A spot on the inside of your mouth that is white or red
3. Crooked teeth
4. An internal growth or bump in your mouth
5. A sore mouth
6. Ear pain
7. Swallowing issues or pain

When to consult a doctor

If you experience any bothersome, lingering indications or symptoms that continue longer than two weeks, schedule a visit with your doctor or dentist. Your physician will probably look at less unusual possibilities for your symptoms, such as an infection, first.

Causes

Mouth cancers arise when DNA alterations (mutations) occur in cells that line the lips or line the mouth. The instructions a cell needs to function are encoded in its DNA. When healthy cells would stop dividing and grow, the mutations tell the cells to keep growing and multiplying. It is possible for a tumor to develop as abnormal mouth cancer cells accumulate. They might eventually expand from the inside of the mouth to other parts of the head, neck, or entire body.

Squamous cells, which are flat, thin cells that line the lips and the inside of your mouth, are where mouth cancers typically start. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer.

It is unclear what causes the squamous cell mutations that result in mouth cancer. The risk of mouth cancer has been detected by medical professionals, nevertheless.

Risk indicators

Your risk of developing mouth cancer may be affected by the following factors:

1. Any type of tobacco use, such as smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff, among others
2. Heavy alcohol consumption
3. Excessive lip sun exposure
4. Human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease (HPV)
5. Having a compromised immune system

Prevention

There is no known method to stop mouth cancer from occurring. You can, though, lessen your chance of mouth cancer if you:

Stop smoking or refrain from starting

Stop using cigarettes if you do. Don't start smoking if you don't already. Smoking or chewing tobacco exposes the cells in your mouth to potentially harmful substances that can cause cancer.

If you do consume alcohol, do it in moderation

Chronically consuming too much alcohol might irritate your mouth's cells, increasing your risk of developing mouth cancer. If you decide to consume alcohol, do so sparingly. That means that for healthy individuals, women of all ages and men older than 65 can have up to one drink per day, while males 65 and younger can have up to two drinks per day.

Make sure your lips don't get too much sun

By seeking out shade whenever you can, you may protect the skin of your lips from the sun. Put on a hat with a wide brim so that it may effectively block the sun from your entire face, including your mouth. Include a lip sunscreen cream in your regular sun protection routine.

Consistently visit the dentist

Ask your dentist to examine every area of your mouth as part of a routine dental examination for any abnormalities that could be signs of precancerous or cancerous changes in the mouth.