{"id":316,"date":"2026-01-08T23:03:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentexgroup.com\/blog\/?p=316"},"modified":"2026-02-02T23:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T23:05:24","slug":"oral-cancer-stages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentexgroup.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/08\/oral-cancer-stages\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Cancer 101 \u2013 The Stages & What You Can Do!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Doctor<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When you see your dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups, they are looking for so much more than can cavities and gum disease. They are keeping their eye out for a variety of abnormalities that could mean that something in your mouth or elsewhere in the body isn\u2019t quite right. One of the things that is always a concern is oral cancer. Read on to learn more about the different stages, prevention methods<\/a>, and how it can be treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Stages of Oral Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stage 0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stage 0, also called \u201ccarcinoma in situ,\u201d is the very start of the ora cancer scale. This consists of abnormal cells in the lining of the lips or oral cavity, which have the potential to become cancerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage I<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is an early stage of cancer. At this point, the tumor is no more than 2 centimeters, and the cancer has not yet reached the lymph nodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage II<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stage II describes a tumor that is larger than two centimeters, but no more than 4 centimeters. At this point, the cancer has still not reached the lymph nodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage III<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This stage describes cancer that is either larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to a lymph node in the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage IV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the most advanced stage of mouth cancer. While it can be any size, at this point it has spread to nearby tissue, like the jaw or another part of the oral cavity, the lymph nodes, or a distant part of the body beyond the mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prevent Oral Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few steps that you can take to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n