A dentist has exposed the signs of oral cancer that many may pass off as common and harmless grievances, as well as the signs that can be spotted without even opening your mouth.
It's incredibly important to be consistently checking our bodies for signs of cancer, even though it may be easy for people who are young or healthy to simply think: "It won't happen to me."
The harsh truth is that cancer and life-threatening illnesses can affect anyone - take, for example, the 'super healthy' dad who was diagnosed with an aggressive tumour on his spine, or the woman who was diagnosed with cancer after spotting subtle black lines on her thumb nail.
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Anyone can be diagnosed with cancer, which is why it's vital to be aware of what to look out for - even in places you wouldn't first expect.
A dentist has spoken out about the red-flag signs to look out for when it comes to oral cancer - which, as the NHS describes, can affect any part of the mouth, including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips.
Dr Safa Al-Naher, Founder and Principal Dentist at Serene by Dr Safa in Knightsbridge, London, spoke to The Sun in response to the UK seeing record cases of oral cancer - also known as mouth cancer - last year.
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10,825 cases were diagnosed, according to the Oral Health Foundation's State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2024, which represents a 133 percent increase over the last 20 years.
These are the signs of mouth cancer that Dr Safa can see during a routine dental check-up:
- A lump in your mouth
- An ulcer in your mouth that isn't healing
- Unexplained bleeding in your mouth
- Red, or red and white patches in your mouth
- Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit you properly
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But these aren't the only signs to look out for, as Dr Safa also outlined the ones to look out for that don't involve opening the mouth:
- A sore throat that you’ve had for a long time, and doesn’t seem to be getting better
- Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving your jaw
- Numbness of your lip or another part of your mouth
The doctor went on to explain the two main symptoms that can indicate oral cancer, saying: "These are difficulties with your speech. You may sound hoarse or quieter, or you may slur your words.
"And pain in your ear. This can be caused by damage to a nerve near your tongue."
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While cancer can no doubt affect the most healthy of people, there are certain habits that can increase the risk of mouth cancer, such as smoking, drinking lots of alcohol, and exposure to sunlight or sunbeds.
A common issue with oral health is bleeding gums, but Dr Safa is quick to remind us that isn't necessarily a sign of mouth cancer and usually, it's a sign of sore gums or gum disease.
She has recommended five important steps to follow to avoid bleeding gums, which are:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
- Start using floss or interdental brushes
- Use mouthwash
- Visit the dentist or dental hygienist regularly
- Consider your diet and lifestyle
Emily Puckering