The signs of mouth cancer

Mouth cancer can appear as any of the following:

• An often painless ulcer that fails to clear up after two weeks
• A growth or swelling that has been present for more than two weeks
• A white or red patch in the mouth

Most of these symptoms turn out to not be cancer but if you do have any of these signs, make sure you book an appointment with us to have them checked out. If mouth cancer is spotted early enough the chances of a cure are very good. Currently around half of the 4,000 patients diagnosed with mouth cancer die because it is discovered too late.

What increases the risk of mouth cancer?

• Smoking
• Too much alcohol
• Prolonged exposure to  the sun or sunbeds can lead to lip and skin cancer
• Older people are more at risk
• A poor diet

What we will do during your visit

• During your visit to Elmfield Dental Practice in Marple the dentist will look at your face and neck
• Feel under your jaw and down your neck
• Examine the inside of your mouth with a small mirror to check your lips, cheeks, the roof of your mouth, your throat and your tongue.

How to prevent mouth cancer

• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables
• Do not smoke
• Drink alcohol moderately your weekly intake should be no more than 14 units for women and 21 for men.

If you are worried about mouth cancer please arrange an appointment right away. Catching mouth cancer early is critical.

How does it work?

Tooth decay begins with plaque, which is a sticky, soft substance that builds up on your teeth. Plaque is made up from bacteria that feed on sugar from food and drink.  This then produces acid as a by product. The acid then attacks your teethby dissolving the minerals in your tooth's structure. If this occurs often, it will cause tooth decay.

Mineral in saliva can help mend teeth. If fluoride is present in your mouth, it helps the teeth repair itself.

If fluoride is used in appropriate amounts by children it helps to make growing teeth more resistant to decay.

Fluoride in water

In some places your tap water contains fluoride to help keep teeth healthy. However in britain only one in ten people get enough fluoride from water to make a difference.

Toothpase with fluoride

Most people get their fluoride from toothpaste. Each tube should tell you how many parts per million (ppm) of fluoride the tube contains. A low level is 600 ppm, a standard amount is 1000 ppm and a higher volume of fluoride could be 1500 ppm.

The fluoride you get in water and toothpaste is completely safe.

Up to the age of seven while permanent teeth are forming too much fluoride can cause unattractive marks on the teeth. To make sure this doesn't happen, help your child clean their teeth to make sure they don't eat the toothpaste. Also make sure they only use a small amount. Low fluoride toothpastes are available especially for children. Children over the age of six should use toothpastes that contain 1000 to 1500 ppm of fluoride.

Patients that already have a lot of tooth decay can use extra fluoride either as tablets , drops or as a varnish that is painted onto their teeth.

Although mild erosion may not give rise to any symptoms, in severe cases erosion can make the teeth more sensitive and cause pain after consuming hot or cold foods and drinks.  The teeth may also become unsightly.

Who is affected by acid erosion?

Erosion is becoming an increasing problem in both adults and children.  Baby teeth have thinner enamel and dentine layers than adult teeth and these are worn away more quickly by contact with acid.

The teeth may become smaller and have smooth ‘saucer’ shaped depressions.

Frequent fizzy drinks, fruit juices and acidic foods will cause tooth erosion.

Another cause of erosion is chronic vomiting, where gastric acid from the stomach comes into contact with the teeth.  This can occur in several medical conditions including eating disorders and even during pregnancy.

Erosion can also be seen in people suffering form hiatus hernia who have a frequent reflux of gastric acid into the mouth or indeed in people who suffer from chronic indigestion or ‘heartburn’.

What types of food or drinks contain acid?

• Any type of fizzy drinks, for example cola or lemonade.
• Citrus fruit drinks, for example orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit, even when diluted.
• Any sour fruit, for example orange, lemon and plum.
• Pickles, for example onions and gherkins.
• Yoghurt.
• Cider, dry wine and some larger beers.
• Herbal teas.
• Vitamin C supplements.

How can acid erosion be prevented?  

• Always limit acidic foods or drinks to mealtimes only and finish the meal with a little cheese or milk
  (this will neutralise the acid more rapidly).
• Avoid acidic foods or drinks immediately before going to bed and during the night.
• Fruit juices and squashes should not be given to infants from a feeding bottle as a comforter.
• Do not ‘swish’ fizzy drinks around the mouth before swallowing.
• Avoid acidic foods or drinks between meals.
• If acid from the stomach enters the mouth, rinse with water and do not brush your teeth. 
  (This would wear away the softened tooth more quickly).
• Avoid tooth brushing after a meal including something acidic.  It is better either to clean your teeth before the meal or to delay tooth brushing until bedtime that day, or before breakfast next morning.

What will my dentist do about erosion?

Try and establish the cause by asking questions about your health and diet.  Fluoride mouth rinses and varnishes may be recommended by your dentist to help with sensitivity to hot and cold.  A desensitising toothpaste may also be advised.

The dentist will discuss the treatment options with you.

Gum disease can cause bad breath. You can still have bad breath even with good oral hygiene and healthy teeth and gums. The smell then usually comes from the back of the tongue. This smell gets stronger when you talk, as your mouth gets drier.

Most adults occasionally suffer from bad breath and a quarter of adults have it regularly. If you are concerned about having bad breath then talk to one of our experts at Elmfield Dental Practice. We can work out whether you do have a bad breath problem, tell you want is causing the problem and how best to deal with it.

Before you visit us make sure you do nothing to mask the smell of your breath. Do not smoke, use mints or chew gum and don't clean your teeth before your appointment.

While you are at our Dental Practice in Marple one procedure would be to use a plastic spoon to gently scrape the back of your tongue to test the smell. We also have instruments that measure sulphur compounds in the mouth or swelling around the gums.

Good oral hygiene will normally solve your bad breath problem. Having a scale and polish at our practice will also make it easier for you to keep your mouth clean at home.

Also make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste.

Use dental floss. Smell the floss after cleaning each area of your mouth. If one area smells take extra care to clean that area.

If your tongue is heavily coated, gently clean your tongue with either your brush or a plastic scraper that can be bought from chemists.

Your mouth will smell less if it is kept moist. Sugar-free gum will also help by increasing your saliva flow. A dry mouth can be caused by breathing with your mouth open.

If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking not only make your breath smell, it leads to gum disease and affects your general health.