The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance can be a warning sign for a disease process. The most serious of these is oral cancer.
![A magnifying glass over an open mouth.](https://www.drclarizio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mouth-magazine-graphic-dr-clarizio-portsmouth-nh.jpeg)
The following can be signs at the beginning of a disease process or cancerous growth:
- Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
- A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology and, curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer. We recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly and remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems.
Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact your general dentist.