Signs in the mouth that indicate something serious: possible cancer

1

One of the most common problems in the mouth is an ulcer: if the ulcers don't go away after a few days, it could be a sign that something serious is going on.

Mouth ulcers can have many causes: for example, they can be caused by trauma , bites in the mouth or damage from food, as well as hormonal changes, vitamin B12 deficiency.

“Mouth ulcers can usually be treated at home and should heal in seven to ten days. Ulcers that last longer can be a sign of something more serious that needs medical examination.” According to the specialist, a persistent ulcer can indicate the herpes simplex virus or the development of a systemic disease – for example, erosive lichen planus or pemphigoid In addition, there is a phenomenon of recurrent aphthous ulcers, which heal quickly, but tend to recur often with interruptions and are associated with nutritional deficiencies, stress, and menstrual cycles in women.

“An ulcer that hasn't healed after two weeks could be a sign of something more serious, such as oral cancer,” Dr. Lloyd said. send to a specialist for further examination.

The expert reminded that oral cancer can develop on the surface of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, palate, lips or gums. Also, tumors can develop in the glands that produce saliva and in the tonsils in the back of the mouth, as well as in the throat.

The general picture of the symptoms of a malignant process in the mouth looks like this.

• Painful sores that do not heal for several weeks.
• Unexplained persistent swelling in the mouth or neck.
• Unexplained loosening of teeth or cavities that do not heal after extraction.
• li>
• Unexplained persistent numbness or strange sensation in the lip or tongue.
• White or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue.
• Changes in speech such as lisping.< /li>