How good oral health can save more than just your smile

This Mouth Cancer Action Month, Dr Sophia Morris, dentist and System Clinical Lead for Health Inequalities, discusses the role that good oral health habits play in detecting health and wellbeing issues, particularly in early detection of oral (mouth) cancer.

As a dentist, I look in a lot of mouths every month. I talk to people about keeping their teeth and mouth healthy such as brushing, flossing, and not eating too many sugary snacks. But I’m not just checking for tooth and gum issues – I’m also looking out for something more serious called oral cancer. Not many people know about it but finding it early can help save lives.  

This is why regular dental check-ups are much more than checking your teeth – they’re also essential screening appointments.

Oral cancer – what it is and its symptoms

Oral cancer can affect any part of our mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth under the tongue, and the roof of the mouth. It can be tricky to detect on your own, which is why professional check-ups are so important.

Common signs to be aware of include:

• a sore or ulcer in your mouth that doesn’t heal within two to three weeks
• lumps or swellings in your mouth or neck
• difficulty chewing, swallowing or a hoarse (croaky) voice
• red or white patches in the mouth
• losing weight without trying
• numbness or unexplained bleeding.

These signs can be painless and easy to overlook. They can also be caused by other health conditions, which aren’t necessarily linked to cancer, but it’s still important to get them checked. The earlier any symptoms are looked at, the easier any potential issues are to treat.

Who is more at risk?

You may be more likely to be at risk of oral cancer if you:

• smoke or drink a lot of alcohol
• you have a weakened immune system
• you’ve had cancer before
• sun exposure (especially for lip cancer).

Why you should see a dentist regularly

Routine dental appointments don’t just keep your smile healthy. Dentists will always carry out a visual and physical examination of your mouth, tongue, throat, and neck. It’s a quick, painless check that could detect something serious early on when it’s still easily treatable.

The benefits of early detection

Seeing your dentist will not just keep your teeth and gums healthy, but will also benefit your overall health. So please, don’t skip those check-ups. A few minutes in the chair could be the first step in preventing something much more serious.