Your smile is not the only thing that can benefit from regular checkups with your dentist. They are also essential when looking for signs of oral cancer. Any unregulated cell growth that invades and impairs surrounding tissue is cancer. Oral cancer manifests itself as a persistent growth or sore in the mouth. Types of oral cancer can include cancers of the tongue, cheek, lips, hard palate, and the floor of the mouth. Oral cancers, like any other type of cancer, can be life-threatening if not caught and treated early. This is why it is important to book your appointment for dental care on Fifth Street today. 

What are the symptoms of oral cancer? 

Some of the most well-known symptoms of oral cancer are: 

• Bleeding in the mouth due to an unexplained cause. 
• Patches that are red, white, or speckled white and red appear in the mouth. 
• Sores on the face, neck, or lips that bleed frequently have continued for over two weeks. 
• An aching throat or the sensation that something is stuck in the back of the throat. 
• Difficulties in speaking, chewing or swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw. 
• Hoarseness, persistent sore throat, or a voice change – especially slurred speech. 
• A change in the way your dentures or teeth fit together. 
• Significant weight loss. 
• A lump in the neck. 

How is lip cancer diagnosed? 

• Physical examination 

Your dentist should check for oral cancer as part of your regular dental exam. When your dentist examines your mouth, they should search for any sores and other signs or symptoms of oral cancer. Your dentist will carefully feel for any lumps or unusual tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity. 

• Complete blood count (CBC) 

This test can tell your doctor if your blood cell counts are increasing or decreasing noticeably. A CBC helps identify a variety of diseases, including cancer. 

• Soft tissue biopsy 

A small sample of the affected tissue is extracted and sent to a pathology lab for further analysis. 

How is lip cancer treated? 

The treatments used for lip cancers depend on the size and stage of the cancer, and the doctor would prescribe treatment after careful examination. Some of these treatments are: 

• Surgery 
• Radiation therapy 
• Chemotherapy 
• Targeted drug therapy 
• Immunotherapy 

Contact a dentist today. 

Regular checkups with your dentist are very beneficial in diagnosing oral cancer in the early stages. If you have not visited a dentist in over a year, do not waste any more of your time and schedule an appointment with a dentist today.