How can you tell if someone has oral cancer?

See a dentist: Have an examination as oral cancer screening is part of your regular semiannual dental checkup..

Oral cancer: Screening is a part of the routine dental examination. Only oral examination can't determine which lesions are cancerous and which are not. Therefore, further testing like biopsy is warranted for precise diagnosis. Rec.: ask your dentist how to reduce your risk of oral cancer (e.g. Quit smoking).

Signs, symptoms: See oral surgeon or ENT doc if you have any of these symptoms: Persistent mouth sore, persistent mouth pain, a lump or thickening in the cheek, a white/red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth, a sore throat, hoarseness or feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing/chewing.