Mouth Cancer Awareness

At Hermitage Clinic we are happy to provide the highest standard Dentistry available. We have a special interest in conducting rigorous screening for mouth cancer. We extensively examine the head and neck as well as all soft tissues in the mouth. We use cancer detector lights (Vizilite plus) were indicated.

"Mouth cancer Kills one person every 5 hours in the UK because of late detection"
- CR UK

What is Mouth Cancer?

Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites located in the head and neck area.

The deadly facts:

• Mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer, testicular cancer or skin melanoma.
• Nearly 5000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year, a 17 percent rise in the past five hours. The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite treatment, with about 1,700 deaths per year in the UK. This is because of late detection.
• Mouth Cancer is more common in man then women, but the gap is closing.
• Although mouth cancer is more common in people over 40. However research has shown an increasing number of young people are developing the condition

The causes of mouth cancer:

• Smoking / pipe smoking
• Alcohol Consumption
• Chewing Tobacco, paan , betel quid, gutkha
• Overexposure to sunlight can cause cancer of lips
• 25% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors

Early signs and warnings:

• A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks
• A lump or swelling of tissue anywhere in the mouth
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue
• Any numbness, loss of feeling or pain in any area of the face , mouth or neck

Early detection is the key to saving lives:

• Mouth cancer can often be spotted in its early stages by any dentist during a thorough mouth examination. If mouth cancer is recognized early, then the chances of a cure are good. Many people with mouth cancer go to their dentist too late.
• The dentist examines the inside of your mouth and your tongue with the help of a small mirror. Remember, dentists are able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily yourself. A vizilite device is used on patients with a higher risk.
• ViziLite Plus is oral lesion identification and marking system that is used as an adjunct to the conventional head, neck and soft tissue examination. It comprises a chemiluminescent light source (ViziLite) to improve the identification of lesions (even those under the mucosal membrane) and a blue phenothiazine dye to mark those lesions identified by ViziLite.
• If there is something unusual or abnormal then A small sample of the cells may be gathered from the area (a biopsy), and these cells will be examined under the microscope to see what is wrong
• If the cells are cancerous, more tests will be carried out by a Specialist consultant. These may include overall health checks, blood tests, x-rays or scans. These tests will decide what course of treatment is needed

Can mouth Cancer be cured?

• If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good, and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure.
• However, too many people come forward too late, because they do not visit their dentist for regular examinations.

Reduce your Risks by:

• Not Smoking and drinking
• Not Chewing tobacco and betel nut
• It is important to visit your dentist regularly, even if you wear full dentures.
• When brushing your teeth, look out for any changes in your mouth, and report any red or white patches, or ulcers, that have not cleared up within three weeks.
• When exposed to the sun, be sure to use a good protective sun cream, and put the correct type of barrier cream on your lips.
• A good diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E, provides protection against the development of mouth cancer. Plenty of fruit and vegetables with low meat and low fat diet will help the body to protect itself, in general, from most cancers

Oral health & body health

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that people with gum disease are more at risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and, in the case of pregnant women, giving birth to underweight babies.

Gum disease is caused by poor oral healthcare and is, therefore, totally preventable.

Around 19 out of 20 people suffer with gum disease at some point in their lives, but with a good oral healthcare routine they can easily prevent it from developing into something more serious.

We would be delighted to welcome you to our practice.

Please call 0207 481 2999 for an Extensive Examination

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