If you have any concerns about your oral health, we’re here to talk you through your options
We know concerns over mouth cancer can be very worrying. We are here to help you with Mouth Cancer Screening Treatment.
Mouth Cancer, also known as oral cancer, is where a tumour develops in part of the mouth. It may be on the surface of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the roof of the mouth (palate), the lips, or gums.
Symptoms of mouth cancer can include:
• Mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks.
• Persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away.
• Unexplained, loose teeth or a socket that does not heal after extractions.
• Numbness on the lip or tongue
• White or red patches on the lining of the mouth and tongue.
• Changes in speech, such as a lisp.
During your routine check-up your dentist will check for signs of mouth cancer, but if you have any of the above symptoms you should book an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.
If there are any concerns we will run some further tests to check for cancer cells. These test include:
• An oral brush biopsy, which painlessly removes cells for testing.
• Use of a fluorescent light to identify suspicious oral tissues.
• An oral lesion screening that uses a mouth rinse to help with the visual inspection of your mouth’s tissues.
The earlier mouth cancer is diagnosed the better, so if you have concerns please give us a call, 020 4541 1150 and we will be more than happy to assist you in any way.
A screening for oral cancer is not only a physical exam. It’s an opportunity for you to speak with your dentist about fears and concerns surrounding mouth cancer. Early detection may be the key to reducing treatment-related health problems down the road, so it pays off in more ways than one.
Getting screened for oral cancer is a simple process that takes no time at all. It can be done during your appointment or at your next visit, which will ideally be with the dentist who discovered something was amiss.
It’s important to note that an early detection of cancers, including those found in the mouth and throat, gives patients their best shot at beating a diagnosis. Remember, not every symptom is indicative of cancer because there are many other conditions that may cause those specific symptoms too.
As with any type of cancer there may not be an obvious cause. There are some known causes of cancers that can be managed by lifestyle choice. These include:
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol use
• Sun exposure
There are also higher risks for over 55s, if you’ve had an HPV diagnosis, and mouth cancer is twice as common in men than in women.
Regular dental check-ups will ensure any symptoms are caught earlier and are easier to treat.
Your dentist will check for signs of mouth cancer as part of your regular check-ups and will be included in the price. A routine appointment can be booked if you have concerns about your oral health.
Includes photos of teeth, gum assessment, cancer screen, prevention advice, includes 2 small x-rays if needed and a written treatment plan. We recommend this twice a year.
Book ConsultationIncludes assessment, any small x-rays and temporary filling. We will then make a treatment plan to fix the cause of the problem.
Book ConsultationOral cancer screenings involve your dentist examining the tissue in and around your mouth for any abnormalities. If anything is found, you may be referred to another specialist who will remove a small amount of tissue from where it was found to have it examined more closely. The procedure can usually be done with a local anesthetic so that there's no pain involved at all.
Your dentist typically performs an oral cancer screening as part of your twice-yearly routine dental exam. If you have multiple risk factors for oral cancer or have had a previous history with the disease, they may recommend that you come in more often so they can do screenings on your mouth and tongue to detect any cancers early before it becomes too late. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors.
Your dentist will closely look at your lips, cheeks, tongue, soft palate and tonsils. He or she may direct a light to the tissue in order to see it more clearly. Your dentist may depress your tongue during this examination process so that he can move it from side-to-side for better viewing of all sides of the organ on each patient's mouth cavity. In addition he or she might also feel under the skin around the neck area to detect any lumps as well.