Is My Ulcer Mouth Cancer?
“Is my ulcer mouth cancer?” is a question we are often asked by our patients. This is encouraging for us as dentists. It means that people are becoming more aware of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. In most cases, we are able to reassure our patients that their ulcer is nothing to worry about. Ulcers in the mouth are very common and the majority of ulcers will heal by themselves in one or two weeks.
However, having said that, it is true that a mouth ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer.
But how can you work out if your ulcer is, or isn’t, mouth cancer? Here are a few questions you can ask yourself. If you are in any doubt, call your dentist and have them check it for you.
At Coatbridge Family Dental Care you can call our team on 01236 421103 and we’ll be happy to help.
Mouth Ulcers vs Mouth Cancer: questions to ask
These are the 6 important questions to ask yourself if find have an ulcer in your mouth.
- How long has it been in my mouth?
- What caused it?
- Does it look different to a “normal” ulcer?
- Does it bleed?
- Is it painful?
- Where is it?
1. How long has it been in my mouth? (*this is the most important!)
This is the most important question to ask yourself. Most small ulcers will heal by themselves in about a week. Bigger ones might take a little longer. If you have an ulcer that’s been in your mouth for longer than 3 weeks, visit your dentist and ask them to check it for you.
2. What caused it?
Have a think – can you remember biting your cheek or eating something sharp that cut your gum? Can you see a rough tooth or filling next to where the ulcer is? Is your denture rubbing?
If you can see an obvious cause of the ulcer then it’s likely to have been that which has caused it. If it’s rough tooth or filling, go and see your dentist and get them to fix it.
Even if can see an obvious cause for your ulcer, if it’s been there for longer than 3 weeks, get your dentist to check it.
3. Does it look different to a normal ulcer?
If you don’t often get ulcers then it might be difficult to tell this.
“Normal” ulcers are often red/white/yellow with a red, regular outline. Ulcers which are cancerous may be red and/or white and crater-like with a hard rolled border around them. There is often a thickening and progressive growth – so it doesn’t seem to be healing.
Don’t forget, even if you think an ulcer looks “normal”, if you’ve had it for more than three weeks, get it checked by your dentist.
4. Does it bleed?
“Normal” ulcers tend not to bleed unless you bump them again. Ulcers which are cancerous may bleed by themselves for no obvious reason. If you are concerned, please have your dentist check it out.
5. Is it painful?
“Normal” ulcers are often very painful, particularly when they first appear. They may even make it difficult to eat or drink. Ulcers which are mouth cancer can often be completely painless. Or they may become more painful as time goes on (instead of healing and the pain going away like a “normal” ulcer). If you are worried, please have your dentist check it out.
6. Where is it?
Mouth cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth. The side of the tongue, the undersurface of the tongue and the floor of the mouth are common sites for mouth cancer. If you have an ulcer in any of these areas that lasts longer than 3 weeks, please go and visit your dentist as soon as possible. This does not mean it is cancer but it is better to have it checked out.
The mouth ulcer mantra
As you can see the the Mouth Cancer Mantra, is “if in doubt get checked out”. If you have an ulcer that has been in your mouth for longer than 3 weeks or an ulcer that just doesn’t seem quite right, call your dentist and get them to check it. That’s what we’re here for!
"If in doubt, get checked out"
How to check yourself for Mouth Cancer
As I said, it always reassures us when our patients come in and ask us to check an ulcer in their mouths. It means they are checking themselves regularly. Ideally you should check yourself for mouth cancer every month. Find out more about how to do this by watching this video.
Reading our blog How to check yourself for mouth cancer will also show you why you should check yourself regularly for mouth cancer and how to do it.
Other signs and symptoms of mouth cancer
Mouth cancer doesn’t always just look like an ulcer, it can have other different appearances. Here’s what to look for in your mouth.
- Any red or white patches, unusual lumps, swellings or ulcers that don’t heal in 3 weeks.
- Numbness, difficulty swallowing, chewing or moving your jaw or tongue.
- Sore throat or hoarseness for more than 6 weeks or feeling like something is caught in your throat.
- Unexplained loosening of your teeth.
What does mouth cancer look like?
And here are some examples of what mouth cancer might look like
Mouth cancer on the undersurface of the tongue
Mouth cancer on the side of the tongue
Mouth cancer on the roof of the mouth
Mouth cancer on the floor of the mouth
Mouth cancer on the gum
Mouth cancer on the lip
All images above courtesy of Professor M A O Lewis
Why is it important to see your dentist if you’re worried?
Finding mouth cancer early, significantly increase the chances that you will able to be treated and survive. 9 in 10 people survive mouth cancer when it is found early. Only 5 in 10 survive mouth cancer when it is found late. It pays to have it checked by your dentist.
Take home message about ulcers and mouth cancer
Ulcers in your mouth are very common and most are not mouth cancer. However, some are. If you have a mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed after 3 weeks, call your dentist and have it checked out.
If you are concerned about an ulcer or anything else in your mouth, please don’t hesitate to call our friendly team on 01236 421103 or contact us here.