Oral cancer is a common form of cancer, with roughly 35,000 new cases reported annually in the United States. The most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the soft palate, and the tissues in the lips, gums, and back of the tongue. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of oral function, irreparable oral and facial disfigurement following surgery, and even death. For this reason, it is important to regularly visit your dentist so he or she can perform a thorough screening for oral cancer.