As well as keeping your teeth and gums healthy, your dentist can also screen you for the early signs of mouth cancer.

An individual’s risk of being diagnosed with mouth cancer increases with age, and men are three times more likely to be diagnosed with this form of cancer than women. Smoking and drinking alcohol places you at greater risk of mouth cancer Symptoms include red or white sores and lesions in the mouth.

Your dentist will examine your entire mouth, looking for any signs of oral cancer. You can have this screening done at the same time as your regular check-ups to give you peace of mind. As with many other types of cancer, the sooner mouth cancer is diagnosed, the easier it can be to treat.