Self-screening for Mouth Cancer: Check Yourself, Protect Yourself

Last updated: 15th October 2024

Written by: Dr Zaeem Jafri

Early detection saves lives. Learn how to screen yourself for mouth cancer from the comfort of your home.

Why Self-Screening for Mouth Cancer Is Important

Mouth cancer can be life-threatening if not detected early. Fortunately, regular self-examinations can help you identify any unusual changes in your mouth, giving you the chance to seek professional care as soon as possible.

We’ve created this simple guide to empower you to take control of your health. If you notice anything suspicious, you can securely send a picture to one of our experienced dentists for advice.

How to Perform a Mouth Cancer Self-Check

Follow these steps to examine your mouth carefully. This process only takes 5 minutes and requires you to have a bathroom mirror and some kind of light (your phone’s torch will do).

Wash your hands

Make sure you start by washing your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 60 seconds. If you are performing this check for someone else, wash your hands and wear clinical gloves.

Also, do this check before applying any make-up to your face.

1 - Feel Your Neck and Jawline

Gently press and feel the sides of your neck and under your jawline, as shown in the diagram below.

You are looking out for:

  • Tenderness or pain in a particular spot

  • A significant lump or swelling

  • Assymyteries, (one side that feels different to the other).

A woman with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing gold hoop earrings with a dangling chain, touches her neck with her hand.
Close-up of a woman with a ponytail, wearing earrings, touching her neck with her hand, wearing a green jacket, indoor background.
A close-up of a woman's neck and lower face with blue and orange markings on her neck.

During this check, you are mainly looking for swollen lymph nodes that can indicate an underlying condition. If you do feel any lumps, don’t panic. Lymph nodes can be swollen for several reasons, including a virus like the common cold that you don’t even have any symptoms! Please speak to one of our online dentists for further advice.

2 - Check your lips

Check the outside and inside of your lips for lumps, discolouration, or unusual sores.

Close-up of a woman's face showing her nose, lips, and part of her ear with earrings. She has a few facial moles and light skin with visible pores.
Close-up of a person's lower face, showing the nose, lips, and part of the chin, with a neutral skin tone and textured skin.
Close-up of a woman's face showing her nose, lips, and right ear with multiple gold earrings, wearing a green top, in front of a tiled wall.

3 - Inspect Your Gums and Cheeks

Use a mirror and a light to check the insides of your cheeks and gums for red or white patches, ulcers, or bumps. Use one hand to hold your cheek back and the other hand to shine a light into your mouth to get a good view.

You need to make sure you check the following sites:

  • The cheeks on both sides

  • The outer gum on both sides as well as the front

  • The inner gum on both sides as well as the front

  • Any ridges where you have missing teeth

  • The outer and inner gums of your upper front and lower front teeth

  • Your inner lip

Person is pulling down lower eyelids with fingers, exposing lower eye area and teeth, with facial features up close.
Person pulling down their lower lip to reveal teeth and tongue inside their mouth.
Close-up of a person's open mouth, showing teeth, tongue, and inner cheeks, with a finger pressing on the lower gum.
A person with their mouth open, showing their teeth, tongue, and the inside of their cheeks. The person is using their fingers to hold their lip open and reveal the inside of their mouth.
Close-up of a person's open mouth showing teeth and gums, with the upper lip lifted.
Close-up of a person's mouth showing upper teeth and part of the palate, with some redness and visible blood vessels.
Close-up of a person's open mouth showing teeth and gums, with the upper teeth partially visible and the lower teeth fully visible, and a thumb pressing on the cheek.
Close-up of a person's mouth with fingers pulling down the lower lip to show teeth and gums, with some plaque and tartar buildup on a molar.

4 - Examine Your Tongue

Stick out your tongue and inspect it properly. Gently press on it to feel for any lumps and look for any ulcers or areas od discolouration. Make sure you check:

  • The top of your tongue byt sticking it out

  • The bottom of your tongue by curling it up to the roof of your mouth

  • Both sides by holding it and moving it to either side

Person with their mouth open, tongue extended, and showing teeth.
Open mouth showing upper and lower teeth, tongue, and the interior of the throat.
Close-up of a person's open mouth with tongue sticking out, showing teeth and tongue
Close-up of a person's face showing their mouth, tongue sticking out, and teeth.

5 - Check the Roof and Floor of Your Mouth

Tilt your head back to look at the roof of your mouth, and then tilt forward and curl your tongue up to check the floor of your mouth.

Use your fingers to feel along the roof and the floor (under the tongue) for bumps or sores.

Open mouth showing upper teeth and palate, with the roof of the mouth and back of the throat visible.
Open mouth showing upper and lower teeth with braces on the lower teeth.

Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For During Your Self-Screening

During your self-check, watch for these signs:

  • Unexplained ulcers or sores that do not heal within three weeks.

  • Lumps, bumps, or thickened tissue inside your mouth.

  • Red or white patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of your mouth.

  • Persistent pain or discomfort in the mouth or throat.

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Found Something Suspicious? Upload a Photo for Professional Advice

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms above, firstly, and this is very important … Do Not Panic!

Your mouth is an extremely interesting place and many conditions or diseases can present in your mouth in different ways. 99% of the time, the strange thing you see can either be explained or is a sign of something completely innocent.

However, we are here to help; if you do spot something unusual, please upload a photo for our expert dentists to review.

Simply fill out our upload form using the button below, and we’ll get back to you with our advice on whether you should seek further care.

Submit a picture to our dentists

What Happens Next?

Once you submit your images, one of our dentists will review them within 48 hours. If needed, we’ll advise you on the next steps, whether that’s scheduling an in-person consultation or additional testing.

Take Control of Your Health

Your health matters, and taking a few minutes to check yourself can make a world of difference. We understand that discovering something unusual can feel unsettling, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.

If you notice anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to reach out. Early detection can save lives, and we’re committed to helping you stay healthy.

Remember, it’s always better to get something checked out, even if it turns out to be nothing. Your peace of mind and well-being are our priority.