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Mouth Cancer: When Small Sores Become Serious Concerns

Sores and lumps in your mouth may seem harmless, albeit painful, but they may be a sign that there is something more serious happening in your mouth. Mouth cancer is very rare, but it’s something you should take seriously, as it may lead to serious complications; it may even be fatal.

Types of Oral Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of mouth cancer, accounting for over half of oral cancer cases worldwide. This cancer typically develops either outside or inside your mouth, and it often extends down the throat. As the name suggests, it has the appearance of flat bumps that look similar to scales.

There are other less common types of mouth cancer, but they are equally a cause for concern. Adenocarcinomas is a rarer type of cancer that develops in your salivary glands, and it can be very painful and unsightly.

Likely Causes

The same virus that causes genital warts is also responsible for mouth cancers – HPV or the human papilloma virus. It is not wholly responsible for all cases of oral cancer, though; the two leading causes of mouth cancer are smoking and drinking alcohol.

Alcohol and tobacco are carcinogenic in nature, and this means they contain chemicals that directly damage the DNA. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol increase the levels of carcinogenic chemicals in your body, and excessive amounts directly lead to cancer.

Preventative Measures

The simplest way to prevent getting mouth cancer is to limit how much you drink alcohol and quit smoking altogether. Admittedly, this is very difficult for many people, but if you are already seeing the telltale signs, it is crucial to take measures to stop drinking and smoking entirely.

At Parbold Dental Practice, dentists in Wigan, we know that detecting and addressing the potential signs of mouth cancer improves the chances of recovery. We provide a thorough examination of your entire mouth, and check everything from lesions, lumps and small sores. Arrange a consultation with us today.