Content Smiles: Oral Cancer Symptoms and Screenings

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Making sure that you are at a minimal risk for oral and throat cancer includes always having prevention plans in place to keep your smile as safe as possible. However, it can still arise at any time, so you need to constantly be checking your smile for any signs of damage that may be occurring. Several symptoms and conditions often arise alerting you to the disease, but just because you have no symptoms, does not mean you are not suffering from it.

Receiving effective care in the face of oral cancer is important. However, you may not get treatment in time if you aren’t inspecting your mouth for any visual clues that it is present. If you notice any extreme changes in your mouth or even minor changes, it could be linked to oral cancer.  In many cases, you may not experience any symptoms at all. However, if you do experience symptoms such as persistent sores that fail to go away or unexplained bleeding that continues to return, it could be a sign of oral cancer. Furthermore, if you notice any lumps, bumps, rough spots, eroded areas or any swellings or thickenings in your mouth, oral cancer could be present.

At times when you have various hindrances or limitations in your mouth, it may be a sign of oral cancer. Common difficulties include the following:

  • difficulties eating, speaking or chewing food
  • chronic sore throat
  • dramatic weight loss
  • rotated teeth
  • feeling that something is caught in the back of your throat
  • routine hoarseness or change in your voice

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come and visit your dentist for an oral cancer screening.

Are there any remaining questions you have about oral and throat cancer? To examine your smile with an oral cancer screening, you are welcome to schedule a visit to our dentist in Trussville, Alabama. To contact Dr. Reid Marshall and our team at Marshall Family Dentistry, please call our dental office at 205-853-4600.