Gingivitis or Oral Cancer: Telling the Difference Could Save Your Life

One day as you brush your teeth and spit, you notice some blood mixed in. You take a closer look at your mouth and see that your gums are red and puffy, instead of pink. You start to worry—maybe cancer runs in your family, or maybe you smoke or drink a lot of alcohol, which puts you at an increased risk. Could this be oral cancer or gingivitis (i.e., gum disease)? How can you tell?

Here is some useful information to help you identify the issue and know what to do.