Oral cancer, which may also be called mouth cancer or gum cancer, is a cancer of the mouth. It can be divided into 2 categories per the ADA (American Dental Association). 1. Those occurring in the oral cavity (your lips, the inside of your lips and cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of your tongue and the floor and roof of your mouth). 2. Those occurring in the oropharynx (middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue). Since early diagnosis is important on treating any disease or cancer, knowing some of the warning signs yourself is helpful in knowing if you should be checked. We urge every family that we serve to set up a plan for preventive dentistry to protect their overall health.