The prognosis for mouth cancer is usually very good, so long as it is diagnosed early. So what are the early signs to look out for? Bristol dental surgeon Cornelius Krause advises patients to be on the look out for the following symptoms:

Danger signs

• A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks
• White patches anywhere in the mouth (this is known as leukoplakia)
• Red patches anywhere in the mouth (known as erythroplakia)
• Numbness or bleeding in the throat
• Pain when chewing or swallowing
• A sensation that there is something stuck in the throat
• A lump on the lip or tongue, or in the mouth or throat
• Loose teeth or dentures not fitting properly
• A lump in the neck
• A change to your voice

Which are the most common symptoms of mouth cancer?

The most common indicators of oral cancer are pain in the mouth that does not go away, or a sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal. The important thing is to be aware of any changes in your mouth and to see a dentist regularly, as they will be able to detect any warning signs as well as keeping an eye on your general oral health.

What should I do if I think I have one or more of these symptoms?

Firstly, don’t panic. All of these problems can be related to other conditions, or could be entirely benign. If you are displaying any of these symptoms however, it is important to get it checked out by a dentist, such as Mr Krause, who offers thorough dental examinations here at our Bristol clinic.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be showing early signs of mouth cancer, please contact us to make an appointment with dental surgeon Mr Krause in Bristol.