What Is the First Sign of Gum Cancer?

A doctor usually identifies the first signs of gum (gingival) cancer during a routine dental examination.

A doctor usually identifies the first signs of gum (gingival) cancer during a routine dental examination.

Early signs of gum cancer involve:

• White, red, or dark patches on the gum
• Bleeding gums
• Cracking gums
• Unusually thick areas of the gum

Gingival cancer may be mistaken for gingivitis because some of the signs such as bleeding gums and swelling are similar. However, gingival cancer has distinct symptoms such as cracking gums, white or dark patches on the gum, and unusual thick areas.

Other symptoms of gum cancer include:

• Loosening of teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Difficulty in moving jaws
• Continuous oral sore
• Continuous pain

If these symptoms persist for more than four weeks, then you should consult a physician. Advanced stages of gum cancer cause numbness of the lower lip.

There’s no fixed routine screening test to identify gum cancer. A dentist, doctor, or dental hygienist identifies most gum cancers during routine screening exams, or you can identify gum cancer by self-examination.

Gum cancer may develop more frequently in people who chew tobacco and drink alcohol. These individuals will need more frequent screening examinations.

Some early cancers have symptoms that urge people to seek medical attention. However, most gum cancers don’t cause any symptoms until cancer has spread to other tissues.

Some dentists and physicians recommend daily screening your mouth in the mirror for white patches, sores, or lumps, especially if you have used tobacco or if you routinely drink alcohol.

Some ways a dentist or doctor identifies any early gingival cancer are as follows:

• Using toluidine blue to identify any abnormal areas that turn blue on application
• Using laser light to detect abnormal tissues; abnormal tissues look different from normal tissues under laser light
• Rinsing the mouth with a solution of acetic acid (vinegar) and using a special light to distinguish the changing area
• Taking a biopsy of the abnormal cells and sending it to a lab to check for any cancer cells

Tests that may help a physician confirm gingival cancer include:

• Medical history and physical examination
• Complete head and neck examination
• Endoscopy
• Biopsy
• Imaging tests including chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Blood tests
• Dental examination before surgery

Gum cancers are treatable when detected early. Treatment often involves surgery to remove lesions.

The goal of the treatment includes:

• Curing the cancer
• Preserving the appearance and function of the mouth
• Preventing the recurrence of cancer

Treatment options may vary depending on where cancer begins—in the upper or lower gum.

• Upper gum cancer treatment includes maxillectomy (surgery to remove cancer in the roof of the mouth).
• Lower gum cancer treatment includes:
  • Mandibulectomy (a procedure to remove cancerous lesions around the jawbone)
  • Neck dissection (surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the neck that contain or are likely to contain the cancer cells)
• Advanced-stage cancer treatment includes:
  • A combination of radiation or chemotherapy to shrink the lesion before the surgery
  • Radiation only therapy in some people
  • Surgery to remove the cancerous tumor

There are two main risk factors for most oral and oropharyngeal cancer that include:

1. Tobacco use
2. Alcohol use

Other risk factors include:

• Prolonged sun exposure
• Human papillomavirus infection
• Male gender
• Fair skin
• Age older than 45 years
• Poor oral hygiene
• Weakened immune system
• Marijuana use
• Gene mutations

To prevent oral cancer, you need to follow these tips to ensure a healthy mouth and gums:

• Stay away from tobacco and other products that contain nicotine.
• Always drink alcohol in moderation.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure to the lips.
• Visit your dentist regularly for routine dental examinations to identify any abnormal areas in the mouth.
• Include a lot of fruits and veggies to get the boost of antioxidants required by your immune system.
• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more to protect yourself from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing two times daily and flossing one time daily.

Some other types of oral cancer include:

• Buccal mucosa cancer: Caused by a lump in the inner cheek
• Floor of mouth cancer: Begins under the horseshoe-shaped area under the cheek
• Hard palate cancer: Begins in the hard palate of the mouth
• Lip cancer: Is highly curable when diagnosed early
• Tongue cancer: Tumor found in the tongue