Don't Miss These 6 Early Signs of Mouth Cancer

Whether you’re a cigarette smoker, tobacco chewer or alcohol drinker, your mouth has likely been exposed to a whole host of cancer-causing substances.

Oral cancers affect the tissue in your tongue, cheeks, palate and jaw, and are the second most common form of head and neck cancer in the U.S.

If you’re at higher risk of oral cancer because of tobacco or alcohol use, identifying signs and symptoms early is key, says Akshay Patel, DO, a head and neck surgical oncologist, microvascular reconstructive surgeon specialist and co-director of the head and neck program with the Hartford Hospital Cancer Institute.

What are the signs? Read on.