The Difference between Mouth Ulcer and Oral Cancer
Most people experience painful lesions, or red bumps, in the mouth. Majority of the time, this condition is a curable mouth ulcer, or a canker sore. But there are times these bumps have a much sinister nature, indicating oral cancer.
While mouth ulcers and oral cancer are two different conditions, they can appear as a similar type of dental abscess and with similar symptoms, making differentiating between the two tricky for the non-professional eye.
What is a Mouth Ulcer?
A mouth ulcer is a small, rather painful lesion that develops in the soft tissue inside the inner mouth. You are most likely to experience ulcers inside the cheeks, on the edges of the tongue, and sometimes, the gums.
Most people know mouth ulcers as canker sores and dentists call them aphthous ulcers. They are easy to notice because of the pain. The ulcers are usually small, round, and have a red body with a whiteish centre.
Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers
- Pain, sometimes throbbing pain
- Discomfort when eating or drinking
- Visible red or whitish lesions in the mouth
- Tongue can feel a bumpy area
What is Oral Cancer?
Much like other types of cancers, oral cancer refers to malignant growths inside the mouth and lips that can spread to the other parts of the body and threaten your life.
In early stages, oral cancer can appear strikingly similar to ulcers. That’s why people commonly confuse the two. However, unlike an ulcer, mouth cancer does not respond to self-care treatments or antibacterial mouthwashes. The ulcer stubbornly persists for three weeks or more, typically without much pain.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
- A mouth ulcer that does not heal after three weeks
- Red or white patches (leukoplakia or erythroplakia)
- Persistent lump or thickened area
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Unexplained weight loss
In the UK, oral cancer accounts for about 2% of all cancers. Although oral cancer is less common than many other cancers, it still represents a significant health concern.
Key Differences: When is it Just an Ulcer and When is it Oral Cancer?
The most noticeable difference between a mouth ulcer and oral cancer is pain. Ulcers hurt, a lot. Oral cancer-related lumps in the mouth typically don’t hut a lot; you may only feel a little bit of pain.
Mouth ulcers usually don’t bleed, unless the infection becomes severe or you bite or pop it. Oral cancer lumps may bleed, even if they don’t hurt much.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you have a canker sore that doesn’t heal in 3 weeks or less, then it’s best to go see a dentist right away. Here are other signs that you should probably go see a dentist right away:
· Red or white patches in the mouth
· Persistent lumps or swelling
· Difficulty swallowing or speaking
· Unexplained weight loss
· Feeling weird tastes, such a metallic taste in the mouth
Early Detection May Save Your Life
If you feel a small and painful lump in your mouth, it’s most likely a mouth ulcer. There’s no need to panic about oral cancer every time your mouth hurts. Oral cancer is scary but treatable, and more importantly, preventable. At least once a year, visit a dentist for a general check-up, which will help detect early signs of oral cancer if you are an at-risk person.