Mouth Cancer Screening

At the Charlbury Dental Practice, we regularly screen all of our patients for signs or symptoms of oral cancer and are proud to be part of the fight against this disease.

Oral cancer is defined as abnormal cell growths affecting the underside of your tongue, the floor of your mouth, the roof of your mouth, your gums and the inside of your cheeks. There are also types of cancer that can affect the salivary glands, the tonsils and the lips.

As health care professionals, dentists have a vital role in looking out for symptoms of oral cancer in addition to looking after your teeth. That is why we recommend coming to the practice for regular check-ups.

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

Oral cancer can affect the underside of your tongue, the floor of your mouth, the roof of your mouth, your gums and the inside of your cheeks.  There are also types of cancer that can affect the salivary glands, the tonsils and the lips.

Some signs of mouth cancer can include:

• Persistent mouth ulcers that do not heal within a couple of weeks.
• Consistent soreness when talking, eating or moving the tongue.
• Continuous feeling of numbness in the mouth.
• A discolouration of the tongue or cheek.

The presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. If you are worried about symptoms, you should speak to your dentist or GP immediately.  Early detection of mouth cancer greatly increases the possibility of successful treatment.

What causes oral cancer?

The exact causes of mouth cancer are uncertain but health professionals believe contributory factors include:

• Smoking.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Diet.
• Excessive exposure to the sun.

What happens during a mouth cancer screening?

A mouth cancer screening is carried out as part of all our dental examinations and hygienist visit. We will examine your mouth for any red or white patches, sores, swellings or any other abnormalities and if we find any to be present you will be referred to a professional. The screening itself is a relatively simple treatment to perform and we will always do our utmost to help our patients feel comfortable and relaxed when receiving a screening.

Can oral cancer be treated?

Successful treatment and oral cancer recovery rates are high with early detection.  If the cancer is very small, it may be removed with a very simple surgical procedure, sometimes under local anaesthetic. In more serious cases, treatment options in addition to surgery may include radiotherapy and chemotherapy.