It’s not unusual to have sores or lesions in your mouth. Many are harmless and go away on their own in a few days. A good example of this issue is a canker sore. However, there are other problems that can be much more serious and even deadly if not treated quickly. Gum cancer, also known as oral cancer, is one of those issues. Mouth canker sores and oral cancer can often be confused. It’s important to know the difference for the sake of your health and getting treatment if you need it. The best thing to do is to speak with a dentist to be examined to find out whether you have a canker sore or gum cancer.

How to Identify a Canker Sore

Canker sores are painful sores that appear in the mouth, usually on the inside of the cheek or on the gum. They may be reddish or white in color. Generally, if you feel pain when you have a sore in your mouth, it is probably not oral cancer because cancerous lesions tend to be painless. Mouth canker sores also usually go away on their own in a week or two, sometimes even only in a few days. A canker sore is round or oval in shape, small and not deep, and white or yellowish with a red border around them. Although many of these sores are painful, not all are and some may take as long as six weeks to heal. Canker sores develop for a number of reasons. They can appear as a result of hormonal changes, stress to the mouth or even sensitivity to certain foods. Unlike oral cancer, canker sores are also not patchy. Generally, there are a few treatment options for canker sores, such as a medicinal mouth rinse that your dentist or doctor can prescribe. There are over-the-counter creams like Orajel that can be applied to relieve the pain, and oral steroids may also be effective. However, most canker sores go away on their own without treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

If you have a lesion or sore that is gum cancer, it won’t heal on its own like a canker sore. A cancerous ulcer is generally painless and can be determined by a few different signs and symptoms. They include the following:

•    Sores in the mouth that bleed
•    Thick lumps or tissue in the mouth
•    Teeth suddenly loose without reason
•    Patches in the mouth that are red or white and blotchy
•    Numbness in the mouth
•    A persistent sore throat or hoarseness
•    The sensation that something is stuck in your throat
•    Pain, stiffness, or swelling in your jaw
•    Your dentures suddenly fitting poorly

Knowing Your Risk for Gum Cancer

Something that can help you to determine whether you merely have a canker sore or gum cancer is to determine your risk for the disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that people who smoke or are heavy drinkers are more likely to develop oral cancer. People over 44 years old are also more likely to develop the disease. Having human papillomavirus (HPV) also increases one’s risk of getting oral cancer. If you want to be examined for possible oral cancer and are located near the Pleasant View area, contact Mountain View Dental at your earliest convenience. Schedule your appointment today, and ask any questions or concerns you have. Call (385) 324-3557 to schedule an appointment.

If you have cancer inside your mouth, then it can lead to dental health problems in a variety of ways. When your physician or a dentist finds a growth or sore inside your mouth, a biopsy may indicate that it is cancerous. In addition to having medical issues from cancer, you can experience problems from the treatments for cancer. Here are some dental health problems that commonly occur with cancer of the mouth.

Problem 1: Difficulty Chewing Food

The treatments for cancer in the mouth can lead to tenderness in your soft oral tissues, making it difficult to chew food. You may also notice a problem with your teeth as the gums begin to swell or bleed, and this can lead to having loose teeth. If you have this problem, then you might avoid eating nutritious foods such as fruits or vegetables, leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can cause additional health problems. You may need to begin a dietary supplement regimen if you are unable to eat certain foods.

Problem 2: Reduction of Saliva

The saliva that your salivary glands produce is vital for your oral health because it helps with the digestion of food. In addition, saliva lubricates your mouth’s tissues to make it easier to chew food and talk. Unfortunately, mouth cancer and its specialized treatment can change the production of saliva, leading to a chronic dry-mouth condition. This problem is uncomfortable, but it also has detrimental effects on the health of your gums, tongue, palate, and teeth. If you are undergoing radiation treatment for mouth cancer, then it can alter the way that your salivary glands function.

Problem 3: Developing Gingivitis

The chemotherapy process can reduce the functions of your body’s immune system, leading to inflammation in the gum tissues. First, you will notice that your gums feel tender, but gingivitis will progress until your gums are red, swollen, and bleeding. The infection in the gums can spread to the roots of your teeth and the underlying alveolar bones. Without treatment for gum disease, you can develop an infection in the jawbone, and you can also lose teeth.

Problem 4: Pain in the Jaw

You may experience severe jaw pain from mouth cancer treatment, but a dentist can help you with this problem by making a customized mouth guard that you wear at night to prevent any problems from grinding your teeth. The radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer of the mouth can change the way that your tendons, muscles, and joints react, leading to tension and excruciating pain. This can keep you from sleeping at night, and if you are undergoing treatment for mouth cancer, then proper rest is essential.

Contact Us Today

If you need a dentist who can help you with the dental health problems that occur from mouth cancer treatment, contact Mountain View Dental located in Pleasant View, Utah. You can schedule an appointment or ask our friendly staff any questions you may have by calling us at (385) 324-3557.