Oral Cancer Testing

Any unusual sore, spot, patch or lump that does not go away in two weeks should be checked by your dentist. In the US alone, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. However, when found early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90 % cure rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as latter stage cancers.

You are the most important factor in an early diagnosis. You should always contact your doctor or dentist immediately if you notice the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one:

• A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth.
• A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious problems, but they also indicate the possible presence of oral cancer. Only a professional will be able to tell you definitively. To test for cancer, a dentist may use a small brush to gather cell samples of a suspicious area.The specimen is then sent to a lab for analysis.

Learn more about Wisdom Teeth
Learn more about Tooth Extractions