Special situations
What are the warning signs of mouth cancer?
Watch for anything that lingers: a mouth sore that won't heal, a lump or thickened patch, white or red areas, or trouble swallowing. Anything lasting three weeks or more should be checked promptly.
What to keep an eye on
The theme with mouth cancer is persistence — it's the things that linger rather than come and go that matter. Keep a gentle eye out for a sore or ulcer on the lip or in the mouth that won't heal, a lump or a thickened, firm patch, a white or red area that stays put, ongoing mouth or throat pain, a hoarse voice or a feeling of something stuck when you swallow, numbness, or new trouble chewing or moving the tongue or jaw.
Please don't let this alarm you. The great majority of mouth sores and lumps turn out to be completely harmless — a bitten cheek, an ulcer, a bit of irritation. The point isn't to worry, it's simply to know what's worth a second look.
The three-week rule, and why check-ups help
A useful rule of thumb: anything unusual that hasn't cleared up within about three weeks should be looked at promptly by a dentist or doctor — not because it's likely to be serious, but because when something is caught early it's so much more treatable. We can't and won't diagnose anything from a page; we're just pointing you toward getting it checked.
This is also part of what a routine check-up quietly does. Every time you come in we glance over the soft tissues of your mouth, so if anything looks worth watching we can spot it and guide you on the next step. If something's been bothering you, don't sit on it — book in and let us take a look.
Common questions
I've had a mouth ulcer for a couple of weeks — should I worry?
Most ulcers are harmless and heal on their own. As a guide, anything that hasn't cleared within about three weeks is worth having checked promptly — not to alarm you, simply to be sure.
What raises the risk of mouth cancer?
Smoking, other tobacco use and heavy alcohol are the main factors, and they add up together; sun exposure affects the lips. Reducing these and keeping regular check-ups are the sensible steps.