Once again, we at Woodcock Lane Dental Care are supporting the Oral Health Foundation's Mouth Cancer Action Month. By diagnosing mouth cancer early, there is a much better chance of beating it.
Signs and Symptoms
- Mouth ulcers that don't heal within 3 weeks
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- Lumps and swellings in the mouth, head or neck
- A persistent sore throat
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Speech problems
- Weight loss
- Bad breath
If you notice anything out of the ordinary, make an appointment with your dentist or doctor to get it checked by a professional.
Here at Woodcock Lane Dental Care, we perform a mouth cancer check at every single check-up. If you don't currently have a dentist and have concerns about mouth cancer, during the month of November 2024 we will provide a mouth check for oral cancer, free of charge.
Our message for Mouth Cancer Action Month is: "If in doubt, get checked out."
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
- Smoking (including cigarettes, pipes and cigars)
- Second-hand smoke (at home or in the workplace)
- Alcohol
- HPV
- Smokeless tobacco (gutka, khaini, paan, snus, snuff and others)
- Poor diet — eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, fibre and Omega-3 rich foods
- UV radiation — protect lips with a high-SPF lip balm
- Previous history of cancer or family history of mouth cancer