No one has better access to and knowledge of your mouth than you do, so we encourage you to regularly perform monthly self-examinations, taking into consideration even the slightest changes. Signs of disease to look for include:nnPersistent sore that doesn’t heal within 2 weeksnA new growth or lumpnThickening of the skin or lining of the cheeknBleeding that won’t stopnWhite or red patches on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or mouth liningnDifficult or painful chewingnContinual painnNumbness of the tonguenJaw swellingnIf any of these symptoms last more than a few days, call us to schedule an examination. As with any cancer, the sooner it is diagnosed, the more effective the impending treatment will be.