Any mouth sore that persists for more than a week should be examined by your dentist. Watch for these early signs of oral cancer:
• A sore that does not heal
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Color changes such as a red or white patch
• Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips
• A prolonged sore throat
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking
• Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
• A feeling of something in the throat
• A change in your bite

Pain is rarely an early symptom. That’s why regular dental check-ups are so important. If you use any type of tobacco product you are more likely to get cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus. The juice from smokeless tobacco can cause a mouth condition called leukoplakia. Leukoplakia appears either as a smooth, white patch or as leathery-looking wrinkled skin. It results in cancer in three percent of all cases. Leukoplakia can also result from irritations such as ill-fitting dentures or a habit of chewing on your cheek.