Mouth Cancer Awareness

Mouth cancer (oral cancer) can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums and throat. It is one of the fastest‑growing cancers in the UK, but when it’s found early, treatment is far more successful. Regular dental check‑ups play a vital role in spotting early changes — often before you notice anything yourself.

Your oral health team is trained to look for the earliest signs, which is why routine appointments matter.

What are the symptoms? Mouth cancer can appear in many forms. If you notice any of the following symptoms lasting longer than three weeks, it’s important to get checked:

A mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal

A lump or thickening in the mouth, lip, neck or throat

Red or white patches inside the mouth

Persistent hoarseness or a change in your voice

Difficulty swallowing or chewing

Unexplained numbness or loose teeth

A sore throat that doesn’t go away

These symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but they should never be ignored.

What increases the risk? Several lifestyle factors can raise the risk of developing mouth cancer:

Smoking or using tobacco

Alcohol consumption, especially when combined with smoking

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection

Poor diet low in fruit and vegetables

Excessive sun exposure to the lips

Stopping smoking, reducing alcohol and attending regular dental check‑ups all help lower your risk.

How we help at Lodge Dental During every routine appointment, our clinicians carry out a full mouth cancer screening. This includes checking your:

Lips and cheeks

Tongue (top, sides and underneath)

Roof and floor of the mouth

Gums

Neck and lymph nodes

If we spot anything unusual, we’ll explain our findings clearly and arrange a fast referral to an NHS specialist for further assessment.

Early detection saves lives and your dental team is often the first to notice changes.

When to seek urgent advice If you have a symptom that concerns you or something in your mouth doesn’t feel right, you don’t need to wait for your next check‑up. Contact your dentist or GP for an urgent assessment.

Protecting your long‑term health Mouth cancer is more treatable when found early. Regular dental visits, healthy lifestyle choices and being aware of the signs all help protect your oral and general health.

Learn more

This information is based on guidance from the NHS and has been adapted for our patients