The signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer is characterized from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. With early detection, oral cancers have a high rate of successful treatment. The people at the greatest risk for oral cancers are those over the age of 45 but regardless of your age, you should opt for oral cancer screening if you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms:
- Discoloured patches in your mouth or on your lips including white or dark red in colour.
- Unfamiliar lumps or unusual changes in texture.
- Canker sores that won’t heal, numb patches or persistent bleeding.
- Unusual feeling tongue, change in sense of taste and difficulty swallowing.
The risk factors for oral cancer
There are several behaviours and conditions that are associated with a higher risk of oral cancer. These include:
- Smoking or consuming tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco
- Heavy or moderately heavy consumption of alcohol (especially combined with tobacco)
- Possibility of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the mouth.
- Excessive exposure to the sun; a lifestyle that includes lots of sun exposure.
- A poor diet or poor eating habits.
- Family history of oral cancer.
- Oral cancer is more common in men than in women.
- A history of leukoplakia (a thick, whitish-colour patch that develops inside the mouth)
Prevention, detection and treatment of oral cancer
Treatment will be planned on a case by case basis and will heavily depend on the severity, type and location of the suspected cancer.Spotting early signs of cancer
The goal of an oral cancer screening is the early detection of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. During the exam, your dentist will look over the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. Your dentist will also feel the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or odd textures and may also feel the outside of your throat and neck for lumps.
Diagnosis and treatment
If signs of cancer are detected during your oral screening you may be asked to undergo additional testing such as a biopsy (where a small piece of the suspicious tissue is removed for lab examination) or imaging tests like Xrays, ultrasounds, CT scans or an MRI. To remove confirmed tumours, surgery or chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary.
Prevention of oral cancer
You can take steps now to help prevent oral cancer later. To help reduce your risk of oral cancer see your dentist regularly for routine exams, stop using tobacco products and drink responsibly, be mindful of your exposure to direct sunlight and use U/V protective lip balms, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and veggies and during your routine brushing and flossing rituals, remember to check your mouth for signs or symptoms so that you can report any concerns to your dentist.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any of the risk factors for oral cancer it’s a good idea to ask for an oral cancer screening at your regular dental exam. If you have discovered an unusually coloured or textured patch in your mouth or a lump or suspicious sore you’re encouraged to schedule an appointment to get it checked out.
Your dentist will examine your lips and the inside of your mouth including your cheeks, gums and all sides of your tongue. They will also carefully feel around for any lumps or unusual textures. The dentist may also feel your face, jaw, throat and neck for unusual lumps or tenderness.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water. In front of your bathroom mirror, you’ll want to examine the roof of your mouth, your lips, tongue and gums. Pull your top lip up and bottom lip down to see behind them. You may use a piece of gauze or a cotton pad to help you grip your tongue to check the sides and underside. Do your best to look at your gums, and use your fingers to feel the insides of your mouth. You’re looking and feeling for colour changes, lumps and bumps, unusual textures or tenderness. Let your dentist know if you have any sores that have not healed after two weeks.
Small, usually painless, flat patches that may appear red, white, gray or yellow with red edges. These small patches can affect any area of the mouth including the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue and the roof of the mouth. As a good rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have anything that looks or feels unusual checked out by your doctor or dentist.
Google Verified Patient Reviews
Lori Peterkin
1 month ago
Dr. Alina is outstanding! She has a confident yet relaxed way about her that transfers into her patients feeling at ease. All of the staff are caring, friendly and professional. The office is modern , clean and inviting. This is definitely a 5-star team❤️
moon moon
1 month ago
Friendly dental staff. Clean operation. And the dental hygienist is the most gentle practitioner I've had by far.
Dr. Alina provided an insightful consult as a new patient and it shows she has a bounty of knowledge as an expert in her field.
Since they are a relatively newer clinic, availability is better and wait times are lower as well.
I felt confident to be in her care and would recommend anyone to this clinic especially since their rates are more competitive than the ones in Toronto.
Josh Stilwell
1 month ago
Finding Affinity Dental Studio online was like winning the lottery! This place and all of the team are outstanding. I cannot recommend them enough. Genuine care, full transparency and discussion before any service is carried out, they have the latest equipment and technology, extremely professional and friendly service by all team, the list can go on and on. There should be a 10 star option!
Bilal Moledina
4 months ago
Hello Everyone,
After living in our town for over 20 years, relocating has certainly been a challenge, particularly when it came to finding a new dental practice that met our expectations. Our previous dentist's office was excellent, but after it was sold, we began our search for a new provider. After visiting two different offices, we finally discovered Affinity Dental Studio, and we are thrilled with our decision.
Located conveniently on Bathurst, the office is not only easy to find but also beautifully designed, with state-of-the-art facilities that exude sophistication. From the moment you walk in, Chantel greets you with a warm smile, making you feel instantly comfortable and welcomed.
For an exceptional cleaning, Andrea is the person to see. Her attention to detail and thoroughness ensures the best possible experience, all while maintaining a friendly and pleasant demeanor.
Dr. Alina, the talented dentist, truly stands out. She is incredibly kind, approachable, and brings a sense of humor that makes every visit feel less like a dental appointment and more like a visit with family. Even during procedures, she has a remarkable ability to ensure you feel completely at ease, and you hardly feel any discomfort.
If you're looking for the best dental care, we highly recommend Affinity Dental Studio. We are confident that you will not be disappointed :)
Sergiy Kis
10 months ago
Here's a review you could use:
---
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had a fantastic experience at this dental office. Dr. Allina was extremely friendly and patient with my 4-year-old son. She explained every detail and every option to us and even took the time to play with him and check his paw patrol doggy for cavities, which he loved. After his procedure, he got to open the treasure box and pick a toy, which was a great touch. The dental offices are newly built and extremely clean. The staff was super friendly as well. Overall, I’d give this place 10 stars if I could! Highly recommend.
Lori Peterkin
1 month ago
Dr. Alina is outstanding! She has a confident yet relaxed way about her that transfers into her patients feeling at ease. All of the staff are caring, friendly and professional. The office is modern , clean and inviting. This is definitely a 5-star team❤️
moon moon
1 month ago
Friendly dental staff. Clean operation. And the dental hygienist is the most gentle practitioner I've had by far.
Dr. Alina provided an insightful consult as a new patient and it shows she has a bounty of knowledge as an expert in her field.
Since they are a relatively newer clinic, availability is better and wait times are lower as well.
I felt confident to be in her care and would recommend anyone to this clinic especially since their rates are more competitive than the ones in Toronto.
Josh Stilwell
1 month ago
Finding Affinity Dental Studio online was like winning the lottery! This place and all of the team are outstanding. I cannot recommend them enough. Genuine care, full transparency and discussion before any service is carried out, they have the latest equipment and technology, extremely professional and friendly service by all team, the list can go on and on. There should be a 10 star option!
Bilal Moledina
4 months ago
Hello Everyone,
After living in our town for over 20 years, relocating has certainly been a challenge, particularly when it came to finding a new dental practice that met our expectations. Our previous dentist's office was excellent, but after it was sold, we began our search for a new provider. After visiting two different offices, we finally discovered Affinity Dental Studio, and we are thrilled with our decision.
Located conveniently on Bathurst, the office is not only easy to find but also beautifully designed, with state-of-the-art facilities that exude sophistication. From the moment you walk in, Chantel greets you with a warm smile, making you feel instantly comfortable and welcomed.
For an exceptional cleaning, Andrea is the person to see. Her attention to detail and thoroughness ensures the best possible experience, all while maintaining a friendly and pleasant demeanor.
Dr. Alina, the talented dentist, truly stands out. She is incredibly kind, approachable, and brings a sense of humor that makes every visit feel less like a dental appointment and more like a visit with family. Even during procedures, she has a remarkable ability to ensure you feel completely at ease, and you hardly feel any discomfort.
If you're looking for the best dental care, we highly recommend Affinity Dental Studio. We are confident that you will not be disappointed :)
Sergiy Kis
10 months ago
Here's a review you could use:
---
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had a fantastic experience at this dental office. Dr. Allina was extremely friendly and patient with my 4-year-old son. She explained every detail and every option to us and even took the time to play with him and check his paw patrol doggy for cavities, which he loved. After his procedure, he got to open the treasure box and pick a toy, which was a great touch. The dental offices are newly built and extremely clean. The staff was super friendly as well. Overall, I’d give this place 10 stars if I could! Highly recommend.
