Mouth Cancer Action Month is a charity campaign organised by the Oral Health Foundation. Taking place throughout November, the aim is to raise awareness of mouth cancer and share these important messages of being ‘mouth aware’:
Over the past year, 8772 people in the UK were diagnosed with mouth cancer. Knowing how to spot mouth cancer early will enable prompt treatment.
Although there are risk factors heavily linked to the disease, such as smoking and drinking, mouth cancer can affect anyone and can affect the lips, tongue, gums and cheek. So it is important to adopt a healthier lifestyle, be aware of the signs above, and maintain regular check-ups with your dentist and see your hygienist regularly.
Early detection is crucial, so if you have noticed any of these signs or anything unusual in your mouth, please tell your dentist or doctor immediately.
Your dentist will check the inside of your mouth and your tongue, and will also look at your neck and underneath your jaw. Dentists will carry out this examination as part of a routine dental check up. Remember, your dental team can see parts of your mouth you cannot see easily yourself.
If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good, and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure. However, too many people come forward too late because they do not have regular mouth examinations, so it is vital these are maintained.
At Elmsleigh House our dental team check for signs of mouth cancer at your routine check-ups, so it is important to see your dentist and hygienist regularly for your general health as well as your dental health!