People are being urged to look out for a mouth cancer symptom that may be noticeable in your teeth.
There are several signs of the disease that could warrant a trip to the doctor to rule out anything sinister. But wobbly teeth without any cause can be a sign that many may not be aware of.
Loose teeth can be a result of numerous things, such as trauma to the mouth, but if you notice movement without reason it may be a symptom of oral cancer, according to the NHS. Mouth cancer is where a tumour begins to develop in the mouth, with the growth potentially appearing on the tongue, inside of the cheeks, the roof of the mouth, lips or gums.
During 2022, some 8,864 people across the UK were diagnosed with mouth cancer, according to research from the Oral Health Foundation. Diagnosis reached a record high in the previous 12 months, according to the State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2022, with a 103 per cent rise within the last generation.
It is important to note that wobbly teeth without a reason does not necessarily mean mouth cancer is present, but it is good to seek medical attention from a dentist or doctor if you are concerned.
Only a dentist will be able to determine whether your loose teeth are related to another cause.
There are a number of other signs and symptoms to look out for too, including mouth ulcers that will not heal and change to your speech.
What are the symptoms of mouth cancer?
As well as loose teeth, there are various symptoms that could be a sign of mouth cancer.
According to the NHS the most common symptoms of mouth cancer are:
- mouth ulcers that do not heal within several weeks
- unexplained and persistent lumps in the mouth that do not go away
- unexplained and persistent lumps in the lymph glands in the neck that do not go away
There are also other symptoms that may be related to mouth cancer, including:
- pain or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- changes in your voice
- problems with speech
- unintentional weight loss
- bleeding in the mouth
- numbness in the mouth
- difficulty moving your jaw
- red or white patches on the lining on the mouth
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