Bulletin of Dental Education Article

April was Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and it is more common than most people realize. In fact, mouth cancers are on the rise. It is estimated that 58,500 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2024, and the rate increases every year according to the Oral Health Foundation. Approximately every hour of every day, a person in the United States dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons). Worldwide, the incidence of oral cancers is at least an estimated 657,000 new cases of cancers each year and more than 330,000 deaths (World Health Organization).

“We advocate for annual oral health screenings and encourage the public to consider us as their family dental home at the St. Louis Dental Center, a partnership of A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) and Affinia Healthcare,” said  Dwight E. McLeod, D.D.S., M.S., ATSU-MOSDOH Dean and Professor of periodontics. “Regular oral health screenings are vitally important for ensuring general health and wellness.”

Dwight E. McLeod, D.D.S., M.S., Dean of A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health.

Significantly, an early diagnosis of oral cancer gives a person more than an 80% survival rate. Anyone who is experiencing persistent, worrisome symptoms is encouraged to get a clinical assessment at their dental home.

The most frequent risk factors include tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Alarmingly, healthy young nonsmoking patients are being diagnosed with oral cancer due to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus infection. About 10% of oral cancers have no currently identified cause or risk factor and may be the result of a genetic predisposition, frailty or another cause.

There are specific, highly dangerous cancers that occur in the mouth, everything from the salivary gland, tongue and mucosal soft tissue cancers to the back of the mouth tonsil area. Additionally, cancer may be detected on the exterior lips of the mouth.

The most noticeable symptoms include a mouth sore that does not heal or bleeds easily and colored patches in the mouth. If any unusual lumps, sores or discolorations are apparent, do not ignore them. Visit checkyourmouth.org to learn more.

Regular self-exams may be an excellent starting place, using a bright light and mirror to look and feel the roof of the mouth, sides of the mouth and back of the gums. This includes sticking out your tongue to examine its top and bottom and feeling for any lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of the lower jaw and neck. If something is new or seems unusual, please schedule an oral health exam. 

Specific symptoms of concern include:

• Red, white or black patches in the soft tissue of the mouth.
• A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal or bleeds easily.
• Lump, swelling or hard spots in the mouth or neck.
• Difficulty with swallowing, including a feeling food is caught in the throat.
• Persistent sore throat or hoarseness.
• A firm, painless lump on the neck that doesn’t go away.
• A chronic ear pain on one side.