By Dr. Mohsin Shaikh Consultant - Head & Neck Oncosurgery, Head & Neck Cancer Institute of India (HNCII)
Mouth sores are common and, in most cases, harmless. Most individuals develop mouth sores after injuring themselves by biting their inner cheeks, consuming spicy foods, being stressed, or experiencing a vitamin deficiency. Mouth sores resolve in a period of one to two weeks. What makes matters worse is that in most cases people dismiss persistent mouth sores as just an ordinary case of a mouth sore.
Oral cancer is increasingly being identified at late stages because its early symptoms do not give much indication of something serious. Symptoms like mouth ulcers, patches, or irritations might not be very alarming. However, the problem arises when such cases go unnoticed for months.
The biggest misconception about oral cancer is that it only affects people who are either smoking or using other forms of tobacco. Although tobacco and alcohol are still major causes of mouth cancer, there have been incidences of patients suffering from the disease despite their young age due to several reasons.
Here are some warning signs people commonly ignore:
● Unhealed Ulcer after Two or Three Weeks
Mouth ulcers heal on their own in a few days. If an ulcer persists, or continues to grow in size, it must not be neglected at all. An unhealed mouth ulcer may be among the early warning signs of mouth cancer.
● White or Red Spots in the Mouth
The appearance of unusual white or red spots in the mouth is often neglected, assuming that they are due to fungal infections or burns from hot food. But, in some cases, white or red spots in the mouth could indicate pre-cancerous changes in the oral mucosa.
● Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or talking
Consistent pain while eating or talking may be indicative of serious issues. People develop a tolerance for this kind of discomfort and put off consultations, thinking that they suffer from acid reflux, an infection in their throats, or any other condition.
● Swelling, thickening, or a lump in the mouth or neck region
Any kind of lump in the cheek, floor of mouth, jawbone, or neck warrants a visit to the doctor. Swellings are generally not painful in the beginning stages, and patients usually neglect them until they become bigger.
● Hoarseness or earache
Mouth and throat cancer can cause some people to develop persistent hoarseness or have earaches that emerge from the throat. As these problems can occur at certain seasons during illnesses, they continue to treat themselves for many months without seeking medical advice.
● Loose teeth, difficulty moving tongue or jaw
Mouth cancer also result in loose teeth, problems moving the tongue, and stiffness in the jaw area. These are often considered common dental problems by many.
The positive thing is that oral cancer is highly curable if it is diagnosed early. This disease can be prevented by going for routine dental examinations, avoiding use of all sorts of tobacco use, minimizing the intake of alcohol, practicing proper oral hygiene, and being aware of unusual conditions in the mouth. People must remember one golden rule: any sign related to the mouth that lingers past two weeks needs medical attention.
