According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 53,000
people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this
year.
Smoking and tobacco use are the major risk factors; in fact, the typical
profile of the person who develops oral cancer had always been someone
who smoked and drank heavily. However, that profile is changing, and
young, healthy, non-smoking individuals are fastest growing segment of
the population that is diagnosed because of the spread of the HPV virus.
Oral and oropharyngeal cancers are often discovered late in their
development. Regular examinations by dentists can often be the first
line of defense in detecting oral cancers early.
Be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and see your dental professional if they do not disappear in two to three weeks:
- A sore or irritation that does not go away
- Red or white patches in the mouth or lips
- Pain, tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips
- Lumps or thickening tissues
- Rough spots, crusty or eroding areas
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your jaw or tongue
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth