Oral cancer is a type of cancer that develops in your mouth.  It is typically seen in people who are between the ages of 55 and 64 years, and occurs more often in men then women. It is estimated that oral cancer will make up about 3% of all cancers diagnosed in 2017.

You are the expert on what your mouth usually looks and feels like and may be the first to notice something unusual such as:

• a sore or irritation that does not go away within 3 weeks;
• red or white patches that might be sore, and do not rub off;
• a lump or bump that hadn’t been there before;
• rough spots on your tissues that used to be smooth.

Any of these could be a sign of oral cancer.  Or you may notice other signs or symptoms that don’t feel normal and deserve a closer look.

Seeing your dentist is one of the keys to good oral health.  Oral pathology is like a puzzle that Dr. Dave pieces together to determine what it is, and what if anything needs to be done.  If you have an area of your mouth that concerns you, make an appointment and Dr. Dave can see if there is something going on that should be looked into further.  Oral cancer is not common, but it is important to rule it out.