Oral cancer can develop on the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, or mouth floor and often begins silently. “Early detection is vital, as the condition often begins without pain and may go unnoticed until it advances.” Regular dental checkups at least twice a year greatly improve survival chances.

The disease occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the oral cavity. It may appear as lip cancer from sun or tobacco, tongue cancer with persistent ulcers, cheek cancer as sores or patches, gum cancer resembling gum disease, or cancer beneath the tongue, which is usually detected late.

Warning signs include “persistent sores that don’t heal, white or red patches, unexplained lumps, or numbness.” Other symptoms are difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking, sudden loose teeth, and chronic bad breath.

Risk factors include tobacco use, heavy alcohol, prolonged sun exposure, HPV infection, poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, and family history. Preventive steps such as quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol, eating antioxidant-rich foods, protecting from the sun, and HPV vaccination lower the risk.

Oral cancer progresses in stages, from Stage 0 abnormal cells to Stage IV spread to deeper tissues or distant organs. Regular screenings and early treatment “dramatically increase survival.”