Dental expert encourages patients to be aware of oral health danger signs amid appointment access issues
A leading dental expert is encouraging the public to be aware of the most dangerous oral health signs amid access issues, which mean that patients are struggling to book routine appointments.
Stephen Barter, head of clinical operations at Bupa Dental Care, is urging patients to check their mouths regularly. The most significant symptom to look out for is abnormal swelling or lumps.
Mr Barter explained that the vast majority of lumps in the mouth or throat are nothing to worry about, but in some cases, swelling is a sign of oral cancer.
Many people don’t experience painful symptoms in the early stages of mouth cancer and this, coupled with poor awareness of the main signs, means that most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Mr Barter stressed that early diagnosis is key to increasing the chances of survival and said that anyone who notices abnormal inflammation or feels a lump should get checked out immediately. Other symptoms of mouth cancer include red or white patches in the mouth, slow-healing mouth ulcers, difficulty swallowing, a sore throat and persistent hoarseness.
Patients should be able to access dental services and they can also visit their GP if they have concerns.
Additional dental health symptoms to investigate include bleeding when brushing, which is often symptomatic of gum disease, and severe, acute pain accompanied by signs of infection, such as a fever.
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