If you’re among the 36% of Americans afraid of the dentist, it’s time to ask yourself which is scarier — the thought of a cleaning or missing the chance to catch oral cancer before it’s too late?
“Mouth cancer is often detected at a late stage because people don’t recognize the early symptoms,” said Nina Gonzero, oral specialist at Avangart Dental Clinic in Istanbul. “We urge everyone to get regular dental check-ups, as dentists are often the first to spot early warning signs.”
Oral cancer can strike on, under or at the base of the tongue, along the throat or on the lining of the mouth, gums and cheeks. While you may already know the common signs — persistent mouth ulcers, lumps and red or white patches — Avangart recently revealed five lesser-known symptoms that demand immediate attention.
Loose tooth
A loose tooth that won’t heal for no apparent reason, especially if it’s paired with pain or swelling, could signal more than a standard dental issue. It may be a red flag for oral cancer.
A tumor forming around the jawbone can cause serious damage, weakening the bone structure and loosening your teeth. Oral cancer can also affect the tissues supporting your teeth, causing them to shift or change the way they fit together when you bite.
Strange sensations
If you’re experiencing persistent numbness or tingling in your mouth or throat with no obvious cause, it might be an early sign of cancer.
This happens when a growing tumor presses on the nerves in the mouth, leading to a loss of sensation in areas like the lips, tongue or jaw.
Ear pain
A persistent earache that doesn’t affect your hearing could be more than just discomfort. It could signal that a tumor is pressing on surrounding nerves and tissues.
The pain is often felt on the same side as the oral cancer mass or ulcer, due to shared nerve pathways.
Voice changes
Sudden voice changes can also be a symptom of oral cancer.
Most often, this happens when a tumor affects the vocal cords in the larynx, which is a part of the throat. As the tumor grows, it can disrupt the normal movement and vibration of the vocal cords, leading to a hoarse or raspy voice.
Sore throat
While occasional sore throats are common, a persistent scratchy throat is a different matter. If you have a chronic sore throat or the sensation of something stuck in your throat that won’t go away — even after eating or drinking — it might be a warning sign.
Oral cancer can irritate the mucous membranes in your mouth and throat, sometimes leading to oral mucositis, a condition where the lining of the mouth becomes inflamed and painful.
A warning you shouldn’t ignore
If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, the American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests you see a doctor immediately.
The organization estimates that 59,660 new cases of mouth and throat cancer will be diagnosed this year, continuing a troubling upward trend since the mid-2000s. Oral cancers are most common in people over the age of 40 and affect men more than twice as often as women.
Several risk factors increase your odds of developing mouth and throat cancer, including tobacco and alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, obesity and genetics.
ACS predicts 12,770 Americans will die from mouth and throat cancers this year.
As with most cancers, early detection is crucial. Research shows that patients treated within the first month of symptom onset have an 86% survival rate at five years.
That number plummets to just 47% if diagnosis comes seven months after symptoms appear. After 12 months, survival chances are very poor.
