November is Oral Cancer Awareness month – even though our dentists and therapists carry out a mouth cancer screening as part of every routine check-up, it is always a good idea to monitor yourself. Of course, if you feel something is wrong or you have a concern you can contact us immediately.
This two-minute self-examination can save a life -all you need is a mirror, good lighting and clean fingers. Below, Simon demonstrates how to check yourself.
Face
Look at the whole face. Are there any swellings you have not noticed before? Inspect your skin. Has anything changed? Have moles become larger or started to itch or bleed? Turn your head from side to side – this stretches the skin over the muscles making lumps easier to see.
Neck
Run your fingers under your jaw and feel along the muscle either side of the neck, using the balls of your fingers. Are there any swellings? Does everything feel the same on both sides?
Lips
Feel the inside of your mouth. Pull your upper lip upwards and bottom lip downwards to look inside for any sores or changes in colour. Use your thumb and forefinger to feel around, checking for any lumps bumps or changes in texture.
Gums
Use your thumb and forefinger on the inside and outside of the gum working your way around to feel for anything unusual.
Cheeks
Open your mouth and pull your cheeks away, one side at a time to look inside. Look for any red or white patches. Use your finger in the cheek to feel for ulcers, lumps or tenderness. Repeat on the other side. Your tongue can also help to locate sore areas, ulcers or rough patches.
Tongue
Gently stick out your tongue and look at one side then the other. Look for swelling, ulcers or changes in colour. Examine the under sideby lifting the tip of the tongue to the roof of your mouth.
Floor and Roof of Mouth
Lift up your tongue and look at the floor for any colour changes that are unusual. Gently press your finger along the floor of the mouth and underside of tongue for any lumps, bumps, swellings or ulcers.
Tilt back your head and open wide to check the roof – look for changes in colour or ulcers. Check for changes in texture with your finger.
On Saturday 16th September, dentists and dental therapists from The Private Dental Centre team are pitching up at Boston Market to offer FREE mouth cancer screenings to members of the public. For further information, please phone the practice on 01205 352892.