What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

A: Oral cancer is a frightening and potentially deadly disease, but your chances of survival are greatly increased if you catch it early. Tobacco and alcohol are the two common pathways to devloping oral cancer, along with exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Watch for the following symptoms: * Lumps, rough spots, crusts, eroded areas or thickenings in the mouth. * Numbness, tenderness or pain in your lips or mouth. * Trouble moving the jaw or tongue, chewing, swallowing or speaking. * A color change in your oral tissues. * A change in the way that your teeth are fitting together. * Sores that don’t heal, or sores that bleed easily.

If you have any symptoms of oral cancer, consult your dentist or visit our office soon for a thorough evaluation.

Dr. Natalie Khadavi sees patients in the San Fernando area. Visit our website or give us a call at (818) 757-0017 for more information about how we can provide you and your family with healthy smiles that last a lifetime.