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What Are The Signs Of Maxillofacial Cancer?

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Many people mistake maxillofacial cancer for other common problems like a cold or a toothache. It may start as bleeding sores that never go away. Maxillofacial cancer mainly affects the tongue, lips, sinuses, cheeks, floor of the mouth, throat, and soft and hard palate. If not diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, it can spread very fast to the entire mouth and other parts of the neck and head.

Maxillofacial cancer is treatable if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, the majority get diagnoses too late, making it difficult for effective treatment. It is, therefore, advisable to visit your dentist regularly to help identify any suspicious changes in your mouth.

Maxillofacial Cancer Signs

Maxillofacial cancer has several symptoms, such as sores in your mouth and on your lips that keep bleeding and never heal. You will also have rough spots in your mouth, gums, and lips. Besides, you will experience loss of feeling on your face, unexplained numbness, and tenderness or pain in your neck, mouth, and face. It is also common to have swollen jaws that hurt dentures or make them fit poorly.

Many people with oral cancer have red or white patches on the tongue, gums, tonsils, and mouth lining. You will also have a sore throat or feel as if there is something caught in your throat. In addition, you will encounter difficulty in speaking, swallowing, chewing, or moving your tongue or jaw. Change in voice, chronic sore throat, and hoarseness are common signs of maxillofacial cancer. Furthermore, you will experience weight loss, toothache, chronic bad breath, earache, persistent mouth pain, and teeth loosening. If some of these signs occur to you for a few weeks without healing, it is advisable that you see your doctor or health care professional for check-ups and examinations.

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