Mouth Cancer Screening

With regular dentist appointments, you can keep your risk of mouth cancer low.

Your dentist will gently perform a thorough examination of your mouth. If you’re worried about any symptoms you’ve noticed, please don’t keep these worries to yourself. We’re here to listen to you and help you.

What does my dentist look for when performing mouth cancer screening?

Some of the symptoms we will look for include:

• Changes to the way your teeth bite together.
• Newly loose teeth.
• White patches on your tongue or the roof of your mouth.
• Sores and ulcers that don’t appear to be healing.
• Lumps or swelling in your mouth or around the jaw area.
• Changes to the way you chew, speak and swallow.

It’s important to stress that these symptoms can’t always be easily detected at home. As dental professionals, we’re used to performing a thorough examination of your mouth and the supporting structures within it.

Your questions answered

What are the risk factors for mouth cancer?

• Using tobacco products.
• Regularly exceeding the recommended weekly number of alcohol units (14).
• People over 40 are more at risk of mouth cancer. However, young people are also at risk.
• Eating a diet deficient in essential nutrients.
• We will perform mouth cancer screenings during your routine dentist appointments. We will ask you a few questions about your lifestyle too.