Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is a serious and growing concern in the UK. With thousands of new cases diagnosed each year, early detection is absolutely critical. The good news? Mouth cancer is highly treatable when caught early — and recognising the warning signs can literally save your life.
As trusted dental professionals, we believe it’s our responsibility to educate our patients in South Wales, including Mountain Ash, Tredegar, Aberdare, and surrounding communities, about the subtle but significant signs of oral cancer. In this blog, we’ll cover five early symptoms of mouth cancer that everyone should know and never ignore.
1.Persistent Mouth Ulcers That Don’t Heal
An occasional mouth ulcer from biting your cheek or spicy food will probably happen at some point. However, if there is an ulcer or sore that has lasted for more than three weeks without improving, you want to be concerned.
Mouth ulcers associated with cancer are usually:
- Painless at first
- Slow to heal
- Found on the tongue, cheeks, gums, or lips
What to do: If a sore hasn’t improved after two to three weeks, see your dentist in South Wales right away for a thorough oral examination.
2. Unexplained Lumps or Thickening of Tissues
Another early sign of mouth cancer is a lump, swelling, or thick patch of tissue located in the mouth, neck, or jaw. These can feel solid, and people will frequently ignore them until they become more apparent.
You may notice:
- A mass in the cheek or on the palate (the roof of the mouth)
- Thickened, rough, or scab-like areas
- Lumps or swelling in the lymph nodes underneath the jaw or in the neck
NOTE: These changes might be painlessly obvious, which is why some people miss them. If you have anything unusual in your mouth, including any unusual growths or areas of altered texture, don’t wait to get it checked out.
3. Red or White Patches in the Mouth
Red or white patches — or both — may sometimes suggest pre-cancer treatment of the tissues found inside the mouth. Referred to as erythroplakia (red) and leukoplakia (white), these patches aren’t necessarily cancerous but require urgent consultation.
Red patches are particularly concerning, with a greater likelihood that they will develop to cancer.
These white patches can occur on the tongue, inside the cheeks, or the gums.
If you see these patches and the patches have not disappeared in a couple of weeks, get yourself an appointment with the dentist.
4. Difficulty Swallowing or Persistent Hoarseness
Mouth cancer can affect not only your oral tissues but also your throat and vocal cords. If you experience:
- A feeling of something stuck in your throat
- Trouble swallowing food or drinks
- Persistent hoarseness or a sore throat
- Changes in your voice
These could be early symptoms of cancer in the oropharynx (the area behind the mouth and throat).
While many of these symptoms can also occur with minor infections or colds, if they persist for more than 2–3 weeks, you should seek medical or dental advice.
5. Numbness or Tingling in the Mouth or Lips
One lesser-known but important symptom of oral cancer is a loss of sensation in the mouth. If you notice:
- Numbness or tingling in your lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks
- A change in how your teeth fit together
- Loose teeth with no apparent cause
All these could be signs that a tumour is affecting the nerves in your mouth or jaw. Don’t dismiss these unusual sensations — get them examined as soon as possible.
Importance of regular dental checks
Your dentist has the qualifications needed to see the early signs of mouth cancer — often before you even suspect anything is wrong. At our dental practices in South Wales (Mountain Ash and Tredegar) we will check for mouth cancer as part of your dental check-up, and this is particularly important if you have additional risk factors such as:
- The use of tobacco (smoking or chewing)
- Regular use of alcohol
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- A family history of cancer
- Excessive sun exposure (for lip cancer)
Conclusion
Mouth cancer is not something to be overly fearful of, but it is definitely something to be vigilant about. When you know the early signs, perform diligent oral hygiene and oral care, then you will give yourself a greater chance of early detection and successful treatment.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or it has been a while since your last visit to the dentist, please contact our friendly team at our dentist clinics in Mountain Ash or Tredegar, welcome patients from Aberdare, Bargoed, Pontypridd, and throughout South Wales.
We are more than happy to help you preserve your smile — and your health.
