Cuproptosis is a novel form of copper-dependent programmed cell death that occurs secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction induced by copper overload. Excessive copper ions specifically bind to lipoylated proteins in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, promoting their abnormal oligomerization and inducing the dissociation of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster proteins. This ultimately triggers a cascade of proteotoxic stress responses, disrupting intracellular homeostasis and leading to cell death. Research has shown that dysregulation of copper homeostasis can induce cuproptosis, a process closely associated with the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of tumors. As a common malignant tumor in the head and neck region, oral cancer is clinically characterized by high recurrence rates and significant drug resistance. Studies have found that the copper content in oral cancer tissues is significantly higher than in normal tissues, providing a brand-new perspective for the development of cuproptosis-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral cancer. By reviewing the mechanism of cuproptosis, this article elaborates on the research progress of cuproptosis and its complexes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of oral cancer, aiming to provide new ideas and evidence for the precise diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer.