Could this be oral/head and neck cancer? or maybe something less serious?

i have been a one-pack-a-day smoker since i was 18. i am now 22. i quit smoking about three weeks ago, but lately i've been plagued by toothaches, earaches, and jaw pain. there's no swelling in my jaw, and when i went to see a dentist a week after i quit she said that i was just suffering from TMJ. but lately i have had a sore throat that won't go away, sharp pain in my ears, a stiff neck, coughing, and a small painless canker sore on the inside of my cheek (had it for a day, popped it). i might be jumping to conclusions, and i could have something less serious like a tonsil infection (which is no picnic, but FAR easier to deal with than cancer). so my question is this: is it possible to have gotten oral cancer or head and neck cancer at my age and after only having smoked for four years? i don't drink alcohol at all and i generally have good oral hygiene. i should add that i've been under loads of stress lately, as i'm in the middle of college finals and am soon to graduate. thanks!

First congratulation on quiting smoking. That's great. Second you are stressing your self and you said you are in the middle of finals with is already stressing. It could be a lot of things. You may have a sinus infection witch cause you to have pain in your jaw and teeth. the canker sore could have been caused by something you ate. Spicy food like pizza. The sore throat can also be because of the sinus infection because you have drainage down the bad of your throat and it irritates the throat. I would go to the Dr. and see what they say. If it is your sinus you will also have pain in your temples and in your checks when you push on those areas so check that your self. As far as the TMJ .i went to a chiropractor because of back problems and i mentioned that i had a bad migraine. She adjusted the roof of my mouth. she said i was all out of alignment. she knew her stuff because the migraines went away and so did the clicking of my jaw when i eat. Call around and inquire about it that was the best 20 bucks i spent. Best of luck to you

It sounds like you are grinding your teeth when you sleep. That's a more common cause of the symptoms you mention and stress brings it on in most people.

Congratulations on your graduation. I bet you arent eating well . You need soothing foods like mashed potatoes, custard, cottage cheese and yogurt, milk, macaroni and cheese to reduce the acid causing the canker sore. You probably also have a cold or allergies so try frequent steamy showers and chicken soup, maybe an aspirin at bedtime. My prediction is when school is over and you are getting a full 8 hours of sleep a night as well as nutritious meals, you will be well. If the tmj continues or if someone can tell you you grind your teeth in your sleep you may want a bite plate to save your teeth from wearing down but I guess your dentist will tell you about that. I think it would be truly rare case if you had cancer ( although non smokers get too) since you are so young. Lets not diagnose yet but just get sleep, proper diet , a little exercise and see. I had nightmares for years after college about taking finals so I believe that the stress must be palpable. YOU WILL DO FINE!