Oral cancer initially appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that doesn’t disappear naturally. It is most commonly found on the tongue, lips or lining of the mouth but can appear on any soft tissue in the oral cavity including the throat. It is a very serious disease and is life threatening if not treated early.

The most common symptoms of oral cancer include swellings or lumps, bumps or crusty patches on the soft areas inside the mouth. The spots are usually red or white and can also be velvety textured. It is also common for there to be unexplained bleeding in the mouth, numbness in the face and neck that can cause difficulty chewing or swallowing.

The people most at risk of oral cancer are men over the age of fifty, but smoking and alcohol also play a large part. Tobacco users are in fact fifty times more likely to contract oral cancer than non-smokers. Although it is important to remember that even the most abstemious of people are still at risk.

Your City of Leeds dentist has a crucial role to play in the diagnosis of oral cancer. It is very often the case that patients are not aware of any problem until the telltale signs are discovered by a dentist during a routine check up. This is just one of the many reasons why six-monthly check ups are incredibly important. Early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer are vital for your chances of beating the disease. Patients who are treated sufficiently early stand a greater than 80% of surviving the disease.

If you have any unusual or suspicious patches in your mouth, make an appointment to see a City of Leeds dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to carry out a brush biopsy of the area to determine the exact cause of the problem.