Is your mouth trying to tell you something?
A mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal Could signal CANCER
Mouth ulcers can be caused by many things, including poorly fitting dentures, erupting wisdom teeth, infections, medication, dietary deficiencies or damage caused while brushing and they are very common.
But if you have a mouth ulcer that isn’t healing, seek help. “Ulceration that hasn’t healed after two weeks could be a sign of something more serious,” says dentist Susie. “It could signify mouth cancer so it’s important to speak to your dentist who can refer you to a specialist for further tests.”
White patches on the tongue Could signal THRUSH
“If you find that you have white patches or spots on the tongue it can indicate a fungal infection, such as oral thrush,” says Neil Sikka.
“It’s usually harmless and can be easily treated with mouth gel from the pharmacy.
However if you see a hard, flat, white area that can’t be scraped away it could be leukoplakia, which is linked to cancer.
“It’s important to let your dentist know about any white patches you see on your tongue which haven’t gone away after a fortnight.”
Croaky voice Could signal NERVE DAMAGE
Surprisingly it’s not just your teeth and gums your dentist is checking to ensure you’re in good health. “Even something like a patient with a croaky voice would concern me as it could be a sign of nerve damage or even oral cancer,” says Neil Sikka.
“As part of any routine oral cancer screening, which I perform during every check-up, I always check a patient’s lips, tongue, cheek, the floor of their mouth, hard and soft palate, and throat. If a patient had a persistent croaky voice that had lasted longer than two weeks it shouldn’t be ignored.”
Dry mouth Could signal MENOPAUSE
“Many women may not be aware their oral health can be affected during menopause,” says Faizan Zaheer, periodontist and implant dentist. “Falling oestrogen levels cause the body to reduce saliva production, leading to a dry mouth.
“When your mouth is dry, bacteria can grow and levels can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
“Menopause can also lead to a weakness in the jawbone as well as, in rare cases, burning mouth syndrome where you feel pain or a burning sensation on the tongue, gums, lips, inside of the cheeks or at the back of the mouth and throat.”