It’s very important to notice the earliest mouth cancer symptoms as soon as they appear. The sooner any possible tumor is detected, the better the outlook. The problem is that mouth cancer symptoms are often hard to spot. Most people won’t get any early symptoms of oral cancer at all, but others may get one or two of the following;

  • A white or red patch in the mouth or on the lip. A white or red patch inside the mouth or on the lip is one of the most common symptoms of oral cancer. It may also look like a white patch with red speckles. White and red patches can be the early appearance of cells becoming abnormal. If they are left untreated, they may turn into a tumor.
  • An ulcer, blister or sore spot in your mouth. An ulcer or sore spot in your mouth or on your lip that doesn’t heal can be one of the early mouth cancer symptoms. Sores that last longer than 10 days without healing should definitely be checked by a dentist.
  • Difficulty in swallowing. If you’re having problems with swallowing, you may also have difficulty chewing, moving your jaw, or moving your tongue. This symptom is NOT specific to oral cancer, and can be caused by other conditions too. But you should still see your dentist about it!
  • An earache. A frequent or persistent earache should be checked out by your medical practitioner. An earache is usually caused by an ear infection. BUT, in some cases, it may be related to oral cancer.
  • Changes in the way your teeth bite together. This includes your dentures not fitting correctly. A tumor within the jawbone can cause your teeth to shift position. You might notice changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite, and possibly changes in the way a denture fits.
  • Bleeding from the mouth. Bleeding from the mouth can be caused by many things. Easily the most common cause is simple gum disease. BUT any bleeding from your mouth is NOT normal, and needs to be checked out by a dentist. It is one of the important mouth cancer symptoms.
  • A lump in the tongue, lip or neck. Any swelling or lump in your mouth should be looked at by a dentist. By far the most frequent cause of a swelling or lump is an infection, such as a dental abscess over a dead tooth. But once again, any swelling is NOT normal, and is a signal that something is wrong.

Src: Dr. Richard Mitchell . Read About the Symptoms of Oral Cancer . Dental Health Advice . dental-health-advice.com . web . 21Sep2015