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.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Dr. Grant is an exceptional doctor
I felt very comfortable
Google Verified Patient Reviews
Ang Li
1 month ago
I had a wonderful experience at Little Italy Dental. I arrived as a new patient in a new city in need of an emergency tooth extraction. Dr. Yiu. and Dr. Wong were both extremely thorough, walking me through each step of the process and checking in regularly between appointments. Alongside their work, the staff behind the front desk are all incredible—going out of their way to slot me into earlier appointments when I needed them and helping me navigate my insurance paperwork. I could not be happier with the outcome and will definitely be returning in the future.
Teacher Sean
1 month ago
Little Italy Dentistry has been our dental home for over 20 years, and even though my wife and I no longer live in Toronto, we still make the 1.5-hour drive into the city for appointments—because the care is simply worth it.
The service is consistently top-notch. The team is professional, friendly, and genuinely helpful, and they’ve always made us feel comfortable and well looked after. We’ve even appreciated their flexibility on the occasions when traffic or travel has made us run a little late.
If you’re looking for a dental clinic you can truly trust, I can’t recommend Little Italy Dentistry highly enough.
Maria Novo
1 month ago
I have been a patient at this dental office for many years, and the level of care and professionalism have always been exceptional. All staff are caring, friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, making every visit I had a positive experience. The dentistry team consistently provides outstanding service with the most current and professional practices, always taking the time to ensure comfort and understanding. The front office staff go above and beyond to schedule and help with insurance related quedtions and procedures.I truly appreciate the dedication and compassion shown by the entire team over the years. Highly recommend this office to anyone looking for excellent dental care! A special shout out to Dr. Dico, Guida, and Dana who have always taken care of my changing needs over the years! Much thanks!
D. C.
1 month ago
I’ve been coming here for many years, and the hygiene team continues to impress me every single time. Every cleaning is gentle, detailed, and done with real care. My recent cleaning with Erin was no exception ; she’s truly a hidden gem. Kind, thorough, and always making the visit feel easy. She genuinely motivated me.
I’ve also seen all the dentists over the years, and each one has been professional, kind, and incredibly personable.
For over 20 years, I’ve trusted my whole family with this team. My smile has always felt in the best hands.
A big thank you to Dr. Yiu’s team: Guida for her thoughtful treatment planning, Dr. Dico who was my very first dentist, Dr. Wong for his excellent perio care and now my husband’s implants, and of course Dr. Yiu for bringing everything together so smoothly.
Thank you for taking such good care of my family and me. You’ve truly become our family too.
— D.C.
Stephanie Nilausen
1 month ago
Friendly, professional, modern dental office. I have been a patient here for two decades and I 100% recommend this dental office team: they are the best! Dr. Dico is professional, trustworthy, kind, and amazing with kids. She and the team made the extra effort to make my kids feel comfortable from their very first visit, to emergency visits. The hygienists go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable. The whole team clearly cares about their patients, their work, and each other, and it shows. The front desk staff are always warm, welcoming and accommodating with scheduling. I actually look forward to my dental visits!
Ang Li
1 month ago
I had a wonderful experience at Little Italy Dental. I arrived as a new patient in a new city in need of an emergency tooth extraction. Dr. Yiu. and Dr. Wong were both extremely thorough, walking me through each step of the process and checking in regularly between appointments. Alongside their work, the staff behind the front desk are all incredible—going out of their way to slot me into earlier appointments when I needed them and helping me navigate my insurance paperwork. I could not be happier with the outcome and will definitely be returning in the future.
Teacher Sean
1 month ago
Little Italy Dentistry has been our dental home for over 20 years, and even though my wife and I no longer live in Toronto, we still make the 1.5-hour drive into the city for appointments—because the care is simply worth it.
The service is consistently top-notch. The team is professional, friendly, and genuinely helpful, and they’ve always made us feel comfortable and well looked after. We’ve even appreciated their flexibility on the occasions when traffic or travel has made us run a little late.
If you’re looking for a dental clinic you can truly trust, I can’t recommend Little Italy Dentistry highly enough.
Maria Novo
1 month ago
I have been a patient at this dental office for many years, and the level of care and professionalism have always been exceptional. All staff are caring, friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, making every visit I had a positive experience. The dentistry team consistently provides outstanding service with the most current and professional practices, always taking the time to ensure comfort and understanding. The front office staff go above and beyond to schedule and help with insurance related quedtions and procedures.I truly appreciate the dedication and compassion shown by the entire team over the years. Highly recommend this office to anyone looking for excellent dental care! A special shout out to Dr. Dico, Guida, and Dana who have always taken care of my changing needs over the years! Much thanks!
D. C.
1 month ago
I’ve been coming here for many years, and the hygiene team continues to impress me every single time. Every cleaning is gentle, detailed, and done with real care. My recent cleaning with Erin was no exception ; she’s truly a hidden gem. Kind, thorough, and always making the visit feel easy. She genuinely motivated me.
I’ve also seen all the dentists over the years, and each one has been professional, kind, and incredibly personable.
For over 20 years, I’ve trusted my whole family with this team. My smile has always felt in the best hands.
A big thank you to Dr. Yiu’s team: Guida for her thoughtful treatment planning, Dr. Dico who was my very first dentist, Dr. Wong for his excellent perio care and now my husband’s implants, and of course Dr. Yiu for bringing everything together so smoothly.
Thank you for taking such good care of my family and me. You’ve truly become our family too.
— D.C.
Stephanie Nilausen
1 month ago
Friendly, professional, modern dental office. I have been a patient here for two decades and I 100% recommend this dental office team: they are the best! Dr. Dico is professional, trustworthy, kind, and amazing with kids. She and the team made the extra effort to make my kids feel comfortable from their very first visit, to emergency visits. The hygienists go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable. The whole team clearly cares about their patients, their work, and each other, and it shows. The front desk staff are always warm, welcoming and accommodating with scheduling. I actually look forward to my dental visits!
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