Even if you are visiting for dental checkups or not, you can still perform a self-exam at home to detect oral cancer. This guide will help you learn how to do so.

Check Yourself For Oral Cancer: Steps To Follow

Your mouth is your body’s most important early warning system and you must not avoid this. You can follow the following steps and perform a test once a month:

Face

You should start with your face first. Look in the mirror. With your mouth closed, examine your face. If you notice any swelling or skin changes, note them and keep them aside for now.

Next, turn your head from side to side. At last, pull the skin over the facial muscles this will help detect lumps and bumps easily. If you are noticing any swelling or skin change that hasn’t healed for a long time you must note that.

Neck

Feel lymph or enlarged lymph nodes in your neck area with your finger pad. Note down if both sides feel the same. You must test under your lower jaw for any bumps or swelling.

Lips

Pull your upper lip upward and look and feel for sores if there are any. Discolouration, lumps or changes in texture can be point to note down and shown to your dentist on your next visit.

Now, pull your bottom lips out and down and perform the same tests. You must feel around with your index fingers to detect any changes in texture.

Gums

Use your thumb and forefinger to perform tests for your gums. Place your forefinger and thumb on the gums on either side of your teeth and work your way back to the molars. You must check if you feel unusual textures or lymph and note down if there are any.

Do this text on both sides of the bottom teeth and move to the top teeth and gums.

Cheeks

Your cheeks must be checked out and not missed. Open your mouth and with forefinger pull your cells to the side. Your motive must be looking for red or white patches. With your finger or tongue, look for ulcers, lumps, tenderness or rough patches. Do the same with the other cheek.

Tongue

It's time to perform a test on your tongue. Take out your tongue and look at each side. Keep in mind we are looking for sores, swelling or changes in colour.

Lift your tongue, and touch the roof of your mouth to examine the underside of your tongue. Check for swelling, ulcers or soreness, you can do this by pressing your finger on your tongue. Now you are done with your test of your tongue.

The Floor Of Your Mouth

Check the floor of your mouth by lifting your tongue. Look if there are any red or white patches and sores. Gently push and detect lumps, swelling or painful areas if there are any.

The Roof Of Your Mouth

The last step, examining the roof of your mouth. Tilt your head back and open your mouth to check. You must be looking for any sores or changes in colour such as red or white patches. Use your finger to feel for any texture changes.

You are done with self-examination. Do note down the points or changes that seemed unusual or discomforting to you. Consult your dentist on your next visit and tell them in detail the changes you have noticed. You must not miss the swelling or wound that isn’t healing even after a long time or bleeding easily.

What Exactly You Should Look For: Purpose Of Performing The Test

Here is the list of signs and symptoms you should look for:

• White patches

• Any sore that didn’t heal and bleeds easily

• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

• Lymph in the neck

• Abnormal lumps

Although these are the symptoms that you must look for while performing a test you must be aware of symptoms of oral cancer.

Symptoms Of Oral Cancer

Common symptoms of oral cancer include:

• White or red patches in the mouth

• A chronic sore throat

• Feeling like something is stuck in the throat

• Sores, irritated tissue and lumps

• Thick patches on the gums, lips or throat

Conclusion

You can test at home for the satisfaction of yourself whether you have any serious or minor symptoms of oral cancer or not. The steps are simple and you can notice symptoms and signs easily if you test carefully and attentively.
You can visit for regular dental checkups to avoid serious issues. Your dentist will detect issues at an early stage and will recommend dietary or lifestyle changes. You can check teeth cleaning Dubai prices online or consult at reception by contacting on number given on the website.