Mouth Cancer Awareness: What to Look Out For and When to See a Dentist
You might have seen the recent headlines — mouth cancer cases in England are now at their highest level on record. It’s a worrying trend, especially because early detection makes all the difference when it comes to successful treatment.
The challenge is that mouth cancer can often start quietly. It doesn’t usually cause pain in the early stages, and that means it can go unnoticed until it’s more serious.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the early symptoms to look out for, why cases are rising, and what steps you can take to protect your oral health.
Ulcers that do not heal after 3 weeks can be one of the most seemingly innocuous symptoms of mouth cancer
Why mouth cancer rates are on the rise
We’re now seeing more cases of mouth cancer than ever before. Some of this is due to greater awareness and improved detection — but lifestyle factors remain a major part of the story.
Increased alcohol consumption, smoking, and HPV-related infections are key contributors. Alcohol and tobacco together are particularly concerning; research shows that when the two are combined, they can increase your risk by up to 30 times.
Vaping is also a growing area of concern. While many people see it as a safer alternative to smoking, the vapour still contains chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein — substances known to cause DNA damage in oral cells. Over time, this can increase the risk of developing mouth cancer.
We explored this in detail in our blog The Effects of Vaping on Your Dental Health, where we looked at how vaping impacts both teeth and soft tissues. If you vape regularly, it’s worth understanding the potential risks to your oral health and taking preventative steps.
But it’s important to remember that mouth cancer isn’t always linked to lifestyle. Some people develop it with none of the typical risk factors at all, which is why awareness and self-checks are so important for everyone — not just those who smoke or drink.
What to look out for
Because mouth cancer can develop silently, knowing what to look for gives you the best chance of catching it early. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms:
A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal after three weeks
Red or white patches inside the mouth
Persistent lumps, swelling, or thickened tissue
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Numbness or changes in sensation in the mouth or lips
These changes don’t always mean cancer, but they do mean it’s worth getting checked — especially if they’ve lasted more than a few weeks.
Why early detection matters
When mouth cancer is caught early, treatment success rates rise dramatically. It often means less invasive procedures, faster recovery, and better long-term outcomes. Unfortunately, many cases are diagnosed later because people either don’t recognise the warning signs or assume the symptoms are harmless.
Education is one of the strongest tools we have in reversing that trend. Routine dental appointments are a great opportunity for your dentist to check your mouth, but self-checks between visits are equally valuable.
A simple way to get peace of mind
Most of the time, these symptoms turn out to be nothing serious — but the only way to know is to get them assessed. That’s why we built our Mouth Cancer Self-Screening Tool.
It’s a private, free service that lets you upload clear photos of any areas you’re unsure about. One of our dentists will review them and let you know whether you should book an appointment or simply keep an eye on things.
It only takes a few minutes, and it could make a huge difference.
Bottom line
Mouth cancer is on the rise, but early detection saves lives. Knowing what to look for — and taking action when something doesn’t feel right — is the best protection you have.
