PEOPLE have been urged to be on the lookout for symptoms of mouth cancer.
This form of cancer, also known as oral cancer, occurs when a tumour begins to develop in the mouth.
GettyLoose teeth is a common symptom of mouth cancer[/caption]
The growth may appear on the surface of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the roof of the mouth, lips or gums.
Cases of mouth cancer in the UK reached a record high last year, according to the State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2022.
The findings – collected by the Oral Health Foundation – revealed that 8,864 people in the UK were diagnosed with the disease in 2022.
The figure constitutes a shocking 103 percent rise of mouth cases within the last generation.
One common symptom of mouth cancer is loose teeth, which can occur for several reasons, namely as a result of trauma to the mouth.
However, when you have loose teeth with no apparent cause, this can be a sign of oral cancer.
Only your dentist can determine if your loose teeth are related to some other cause, or if you should see a doctor for further diagnosis.
It is possible that these symptoms are motivated by other factors and therefore no cause for concern.
However, if you are concerned, book a consultation with your dentist to discuss further.
Symptoms of mouth cancer
The symptoms of mouth cancer include:
mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks
unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away
unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions
unexplained, persistent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue
sometimes, white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue These can be early signs of cancer, so they should also be checked
changes in speech, such as a lisp
See a GP or dentist if these symptoms do not get better within 3 weeks, particularly if you drink or smoke.