Oral Cancer

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth that can appear as sores that don’t go away. There are many types of oral cancer, including: lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palates, sinuses, and throat. If not diagnosed and treated properly, oral cancer can be life threatening. Symptoms can be sensitivity, unexplained bleeding, white and red speckled patches in the mouth, and numbness, among others.

What Causes Oral Cancer?

Typically, risk factors for oral cancer can include the use of tobacco, family history of cancer, sun exposure, and excessive consumption of alcohol.

Treatments with Michael E. Thum Dentistry

At Michael E. Thum Dentistry, we can help diagnose oral cancer with a screening exam. We will examine for lumps and abnormal tissue changes or sores that could be cancerous. If necessary, there will be a painless biopsy that can help determine if you are positive or negative and the next steps for treatment. We recommend you do self-examinations once a month and visit your dentist routinely for checkups in order to potentially detect the cancer in its earliest stages.