A routine dental examination isn't only about checking for cavities, gum disease or problems with your teeth. Your dentist also examines the soft tissues of your mouth and looks for unusual changes that may require further investigation. This is an important part of looking after your overall oral health and can help identify possible signs of mouth cancer at an earlier stage.

Most changes in the mouth are not cancer. However, knowing what's normal for your mouth, attending regular dental examinations and having persistent or unexplained changes assessed are all important.

What is mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, can develop in different areas of the mouth, including the tongue, lips, gums, cheeks and the floor or roof of the mouth. Like many cancers, identifying suspicious changes at an earlier stage can make an important difference to diagnosis and treatment.

What are the warning signs of mouth cancer?

Changes worth having assessed include:

•    A mouth or tongue ulcer that does not heal within around three weeks
•    A red or white patch in the mouth
•    An unexplained lump, swelling or thickened area in the mouth or neck
•    Persistent pain or discomfort in the mouth
•    Unexplained numbness of the tongue, lip or another area of the mouth
•    Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing
•    Difficulty moving the tongue
•    Persistent hoarseness or a change in your voice
•    An unexplained loose tooth
•    Any other persistent change in your mouth that is unusual for you

Having one of these symptoms does not mean that you have mouth cancer. There are many other possible causes. The important thing is not to ignore a change that persists.

How long should a mouth ulcer last?

Mouth ulcers are extremely common and most heal without causing any problems. However, an ulcer that is still present after approximately three weeks should be assessed by a healthcare professional. If you have an ulcer, lump, patch or another unexplained change that isn't healing, don't simply wait for your next routine dental appointment. Contact your dentist or doctor and arrange to have it checked.

 

Does my dentist check for signs of oral cancer?

Yes. Examining the soft tissues of the mouth and looking for abnormal or suspicious changes forms an important part of a routine dental examination. At your check-up, your dentist isn't only examining your teeth. They also look carefully around your mouth, including areas such as your:

•    Tongue
•    Lips
•    Inside of the cheeks
•    Gums
•    Roof of the mouth
•    Floor of the mouth

Where appropriate, your dentist may also assess other areas around the mouth, jaw and neck. They're looking for changes in colour, texture, shape or appearance and anything else that may require monitoring or further assessment. It's one of the reasons regular dental examinations remain important even when your teeth feel completely fine.

 

Can a dentist diagnose mouth cancer?

A dentist can identify changes that may be suspicious, but seeing a suspicious area does not in itself provide a cancer diagnosis. Many abnormalities in the mouth have completely benign explanations. If your dentist identifies something unusual, the appropriate next step will depend on what they find. They may monitor the area, review it after a suitable period, remove a possible source of irritation, or recommend specialist assessment and further investigation. Where necessary, a biopsy may be required to establish a diagnosis.

What happens if we find something that concerns us?

Our priority is to make sure anything unusual receives the appropriate assessment. If one of our dentists identifies an area that requires further investigation, we have access to specialist expertise within the practice. Where clinically appropriate, this can include specialist assessment and arranging further investigation or biopsy. It also means we can explain clearly what we've found, why we think it should be investigated and what happens next. Importantly, referral for further assessment does not mean that you have cancer. It means that a change deserves a closer look.

Who is at greater risk of mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer can affect anyone, which is why persistent changes should never be ignored. Certain factors can increase a person's risk, however. These include tobacco use and alcohol consumption, while some head and neck cancers are also associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Risk also increases with age, although mouth cancer can occur in younger people too. Regardless of your individual risk factors, the same principle applies, know what is normal for your mouth and have persistent or unexplained changes checked.

Why does early detection matter?

Early detection can make cancer easier to treat. This is why awareness matters. A persistent ulcer or unusual patch can be easy to dismiss, particularly when it isn't painful. Regular dental examinations provide another opportunity for changes to be identified, including changes that you may not have noticed yourself.

Don't wait for your next check-up if something isn't right

Routine dental examinations are important, but they should never replace seeking advice about a new or persistent symptom. If you notice an ulcer, lump, patch, swelling or another unexplained change in your mouth that isn't going away, arrange an assessment rather than waiting until your next scheduled examination. Most changes won't turn out to be cancer. But when it comes to an unexplained change in your mouth, it's always worth getting it checked.

 

Book your dental examination

If you're due a routine dental examination, our team can assess the health of your teeth, gums and the soft tissues of your mouth. And if you've already noticed a persistent or unexplained change, please let us know when making your appointment so that we can arrange the appropriate assessment.

View our dental clinic locations in Limerick, Mullingar, Roscrea, and Blackrock, Dublin and book your appointment today.