Mouth Cancer Month
At Brightside Dental, we’re known for helping people with their teeth.
But what you might not know is that every time you come in for an appointment, we’re also checking for something else: mouth cancer.
And this month, we’re shining a light on the condition, as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month.
Sadly, mouth cancer affects thousands in the UK each year, and can develop in the mouth, lopes, tongue and throat.
Anyone can get it, but it’s often linked to the following risk factors:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Poor diet
- HPV infection
As with other types of cancer, early detection is crucial for successful treatment, and this month’s initiative is all about giving patients the knowledge they need to monitor and watch out for the symptoms:
- Persistent mouth ulcers that don’t heal after three weeks
- Unusual lumps or thickening in the mouth or throat
- Red or white patches inside the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent sore throat
It’s important to keep an eye out for these symptoms – if any of them do crop up, make an appointment with us ASAP, even if it’s not time for your regular checkup.
On an ongoing basis, you can reduce your risk by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, eating a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and getting the HPV vaccine if you’re eligible.
But there’s one more important thing: many people with mouth cancer experience no symptoms, plus, the condition is now affecting younger people and those without the main known risk factors.
Which is yet another reason to make sure you attend your regular dental appointments – each and every time you visit us at Brightside Dental, we carry out a mouth cancer screening as part of your assessment.
If you’re overdue your regular dental check, you can book here – https://uk.mydentalhub.online/v1/view/organization/259/index.html#/perspectives/1
For more resources, check out the Oral Health Foundation’s website here.
Ketan
