Did you know that every day, every hour one American dies of oral cancer? Did you also know that as many as 75% of sexually active men and women will have at least one anogenital HPV infection in their lifetime and a proportion will go on to develop oral cancer.

Early Detection is Key

Because 25 percent of the people diagnosed with oral cancer have no risk factors, an oral cancer screening should be a routine part of dental maintenance. Regular check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions.Common symptoms of oral cancer or pre-cancerous cells include:

• A change in the way the teeth fit together
• A color change in the oral tissues
• A tiny white or red spot/sore anywhere in the mouth
• Any sore that bleeds easily or refuses to heal
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
• Lumps, thickenings, rough spots, or crusty areas
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips