Indra's blog: About the Big C-word

Indra's blog: About the Big C-word

Did you know we actually check for mouth cancer when we do your routine examination and hygiene appointment? Apparently a lot of our patients don't know it is one of the standard points on our check list at things we look out for. It is so very important as unfortunately cancer can develop in the mouth too, why it is often first spotted by your dental professional. And if you are regularly attending for your routine appointments, we would most likely catch it in an early stage. One of the many reasons why it is so important to come and get checked out regularly.

Our team had a little chat about this recently at one of our practice development days. For one reason or another there is a bit of a stigma on actually saying the C-word to the patient in the chair. We do not want to overwhelm you or make you anxious. So even though we are checking for mouth cancer, how do you know we actually are, if we don't tell you? Therefor, I decided it is better practice to actually say to my patient why I am letting them put their tongue in their cheeks and at the back of their palate. Just some reassurance you are being looked after by a team that wants to make sure not just the teeth are healthy, but so is the rest of the mouth!

Even though mouth cancer is more likely to develop with smokers, it can happen to anyone. Key signs to look out for are swellings or suspicious lumps, ulcers that are not healing, discolourations, pain, mobility of teeth and/or speech problems.

Obviously these could be signs and symptoms of a lot of other conditions and if you are worried it is important to get it checked out. You can find more information here: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mouth-cancer/symptoms

Even though it still is fairly rare, I have had several patients over the years that did get an unfortunate diagnosis after I had referred them to the dental hospital. Have you not been for a while for your routine appointments or feel something might need looking at? Please don't hesitate to make an appointment to come and see us. We are here to help.

Indra xx