Oral cancer can often be hard to spot with the naked eye. However, you can still keep an eye out for the following symptoms and call us right away if you notice any of them:

• Sores on your tongue, gums, lips, or other soft tissues that will not heal
• Unexplained lumps on or beneath the surface of your soft tissue
• White or red lesions in your mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• A constant feeling that something is stuck in your throat
• Ear pain
• A persistent sore throat
• Areas of your mouth that feel numb

Your oral cancer screening will involve a visual and physical examination of your oral cavity. One of our dentists will take a close look at your whole mouth, including your throat, tongue, lips, and face, for any abnormalities that could indicate cancer.

Next comes the physical exam, where they will feel along the lymph nodes in your neck and jaw to ensure that everything feels healthy. They may also gently rub around your jaw joints and ears to feel for any lumps or lesions that shouldn’t be there.