Mouth Cancer Action Month

Mouth cancer is one of the few cancers in the UK which has seen cases rise. Over the past decade, there has been an increase of nearly 50% in the number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer. 

This year in the UK around 8,300 people will be given the life-changing news that they have mouth cancer, and it still claims more lives than cervical and testicular cancer combined. However, with early diagnosis, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%.

Mouth cancer is known to affect twice as many men as women with smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and the human papillomavirus (HPV) as the main risk factors.

Oral health checks and visual examinations are the best way to identify any suspicious lesions. This is another great reason to ensure you book in for your routine dental appointment.

Dental checkups and oral cancer screening explained

When you come in for your appointment, the dentist will not only focus on an examination of your mouth, they will also ask you a number of lifestyle questions. If you smoke, drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol per week, are over 50 or use chewing or smokeless tobacco these factors can increase your risk of developing mouth cancer.

The dentist will then perform a methodical examination of your mouth to detect any abnormalities. They will use a mirror to check all the tissue in your mouth including your tongue and the sides of your mouth.

What happens if your dentist finds something?

If the dentist finds anything that is unusual or abnormal, they will refer you to the local hospital for a specialist to perform a thorough examination of your mouth and throat. During a follow-up appointment, they may take a biopsy of any affected areas so the cells can be looked at closely under a microscope.

If the cells turn out to be cancerous then the consultant will be able to advise on the best course of treatment. If mouth cancer is spotted early the chances of a complete cure are very good and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure.

However, too many people do not visit their dentist for routine appointments so often any problems are noticed too late. By committing to regular dental checkups, you are also protecting yourself against the risk of a life-changing diagnosis.

Alongside regular checkups, there are also home care steps you can take to ensure that your mouth is healthy and that any potential signs of illness are caught early. 

Top tips to ensure that your mouth stays healthy

Signs of oral cancer you shouldn’t ignore

You can also safeguard your health by learning how to spot the signs of oral cancer at home. Regular checks and being aware of the health of your gums can help to spot this sooner. Signs you should never ignore include:

If you are worried about any of these issues above, do not hesitate to book an appointment, call Leigh Dental Centre today on 01702 729929. If in doubt get it checked out!