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Mouth ulcers have symptoms that could be mistaken for oral cancer. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true and when it comes to cancer, early detection is of paramount importance. Knowing the Difference Between Mouth Ulcer and Cancer will help you communicate better with your child’s dentist and can empower you to act fast if your child’s symptoms are severe.

What Are Mouth Ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are small, often painful sores that can develop on the lips, gums, roof of the mouth, inner cheeks or lips, and tongue. They are usually white, yellow, or red.

There are several types of oral sores and lesions, including the following:

  • Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers)
  • Leukoplakia
  • Oral lichen planus
  • Oral thrush
  • Erythroplakia

Only oral thrush and canker sores are typically seen in babies and children. Erythroplakia and leukoplakia are most commonly caused by chewing or smoking tobacco, while oral lichen planus is generally only seen in women over the age of fifty. Canker sores and other types of mouth ulcers can be painful and irritating, but they typically clear up on their own or with the assistance of prescription medications. It’s worth noting that erythroplakia lesions which appear as red patches under the tongue or behind the lower front teeth are usually either precancerous or cancerous.

Symptoms of Mouth Cancer

Mutations in the cells inside or on the lips cause mouth cancer. Risk factors include smoking, excessive drinking, sun exposure, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and a weakened immune system. Oral cancer sores are white or red lesions that don’t go away independently.

Other symptoms of mouth cancer include the following:

  • Ear or mouth pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • White or reddish patches inside the mouth
  • Growths or lumps
  • Loosened teeth

How Is Common Oral Cancer in Kids?

Oral cancer rarely affects children, mainly because its two primary causes are tobacco use and alcohol. According to the National Cancer Institute, over 90% of the tumors and lesions children develop in their mouths are noncancerous.

Understanding the Difference Between Mouth Ulcer and Cancer

Most mouth ulcers are relatively benign but may cause pain and interfere with essential functions like chewing and swallowing. But ulcers and sores caused by mouth cancer are a warning sign of a potentially deadly condition.

Benign ulcers and cancerous sores differ in the following key ways:

  • Appearance. Benign mouth ulcers are typically round or oval-shaped and are uniform in color. Lesions that form as a result of oral cancer can be irregular and multicolored.
  • Pain level. Noncancerous mouth ulcers like canker sores are typically painful at the outset and less painful as they heal. Conversely, cancerous sores are usually painless at the outset and grow in both size and pain level over time.
  • Quantity and location. Oral cancer lesions grow in number as the disease progresses and can appear all around the oral cavity, including on the lips and in the throat. Mouth ulcers, especially canker sores don’t spread over time, and they’re exclusively located inside the mouth.
  • Other symptoms. Mouth cancer comes with distinct symptoms in addition to the lesions. These may include difficulty swallowing, bleeding, and numb mouth and lips. Additionally, the lesions from oral cancer do not heal on their own, unlike canker sores and other benign mouth ulcers. 

Final Thoughts

Sores inside the mouth are not necessarily indicative of cancer. The likelihood that a child with mouth ulcers has cancer is particularly low; however, if you or your child has mouth lesions that do not seem to be healing after a few weeks or if there are additional symptoms like the ones described above, it is essential to see a dentist right away to rule out a serious issue.