Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is cancer that develops in any part of the mouth – including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx. If undiagnosed and left untreated, oral cancer can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of oral cancer can mimic many less-serious conditions, so its always best to get checked out if you have any of the following:

• Pain particularly in the ear, mouth, or face
• Painful swallowing
• Ulcers
• Mouth sores that will not heal
• Bleeding in your mouth
• Bad Breath
• Red and white plaques in mouth
• Enlarged neck lymph nodes
• A cough that will not go away
• Teeth that become loose not as the result of impact/trauma

Mouth cancer patients will most often see a specialist such as oncologists or otolaryngologists for treatment.
The good news is that oral cancer is highly preventable:

• Don’t use tobacco in any form
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Reduce/minimize sub exposure
• Always use lap balm with SPF 30 or higher
• Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables

Keeping your regular 6-month dental checkups is a great way to ensure healthy teeth, but also to look after your overall oral health. Dentist visits are a first-line of defense in working with you to look at anything that may be troublesome or indicate you have a condition, such as oral cancer, that needs treatment by a specialist.
Early detection can result in better treatment outcomes … so just another reason to get into the dentist!
To make an appointment for an oral cancer screening, or to discuss any of your dental concerns or questions, email us at info@lifestyledental.co.uk, or call us on 01772 717316.