Five Places, One Mirror: A Sensible Mouth Cancer Self-Check for November

November is Mouth Cancer Action Month, which tends to arrive with two kinds of reaction. Some people ignore it completely. Others give their mouth a once-over in the bathroom mirror, spot something odd, and spend the next fortnight quietly convinced the worst. Neither is ideal.

The aim of the month isn’t to turn you into your own dentist. It’s simpler than that: know what your mouth normally looks and feels like, notice anything that hangs around, and know who to ask. A two-minute check, done now and then, is a sensible habit — not a diagnosis and definitely not a reason to panic.

At Lonsdale, we’d much rather you came in with a question than sat on a change for months. So here’s a calm, practical guide to the self-check dentists wish more people felt confident doing.

Why a two-minute check is worth it

Mouth cancer is uncommon, but it isn’t rare enough to ignore. It’s also one of the few cancers where a dentist may spot the first sign during a routine look — on the side of the tongue, in the floor of the mouth, or on the gums where a mirror rarely goes. That’s why your dental team checks soft tissue at every examination, not just teeth.

A self-check doesn’t replace that. It just means you’re more likely to notice a change early and mention it at your next visit, or book a prompt appointment if something feels persistent. The key word is persistent. Most mouth changes are temporary, harmless and a bit boring. The ones we care about are the ones that don’t settle.

The five places to look

You don’t need a head torch or a medical degree. Find a well-lit mirror, wash your hands, and take your time. If you wear dentures, remove them first.

1. Your lips

Look at both lips, inside and out. Check the corners, the skin just outside the lip line, and the inner surface. Notice any sore that hasn’t healed after three weeks, a lump, or a patch that feels rough or crusty. Cold sores and chapped lips are common and usually settle — but a one-sided sore that keeps coming back in the same spot deserves a look.

2. Your tongue

Stick your tongue out and look at the top, sides and underside. Then lift it to the roof of your mouth to see the floor of the mouth underneath. Look for a persistent ulcer, a red or white patch, a lump, or an area that feels hard or numb. The sides of the tongue are a common site for changes, so don’t just glance at the middle.

3. Your cheeks

Gently pull each cheek outwards and look at the inner lining. Check for ulcers, white or red patches, or a lump you can feel with a clean finger. It’s easy to bite your cheek by accident, and that can leave a sore for a week or so. That’s normal. A cheek change that’s still there after three weeks is not something to ignore.

4. Your gums and the floor of your mouth

Lift your upper lip and lower lip to see the gums. Look for a persistent sore, swelling, or unexplained bleeding. Then look under the tongue, where the mouth meets the jaw. This area is easy to miss and awkward to see, which is exactly why it’s worth a proper look. A lump, a hard area, or numbness here should be checked.

5. Your neck and jaw

This is less about looking and more about feeling. Run your fingers gently down the sides of your neck and under your jaw. You’re not hunting for every little lymph node — most of us can feel something if we press hard enough. You’re noticing a firm, persistent swelling that wasn’t there before, especially if it’s one-sided and doesn’t settle after a few weeks.

What usually isn’t a worry

Most of what you find will be harmless. Mouth ulcers are common, especially after a bite, a sharp crisp, or a stressful few weeks. White patches can be caused by friction from a tooth or denture. Red patches can follow irritation. A loose tooth is often gum disease rather than anything sinister. A sore throat or hoarse voice usually follows a cold.

The useful rule isn’t “is it cancer?” — it’s “is it settling?” A simple ulcer should heal within two to three weeks. A patch caused by rubbing should improve once the cause is removed. If something is still there after three weeks, or it’s getting bigger, bleeding, or feeling numb, that’s your cue to book a dental appointment rather than keep checking it every morning.

When to book — and what to say

Book a prompt appointment with your dentist if you have:

• an ulcer or sore in the mouth that hasn’t healed after three weeks
• a red or white patch that persists
• a lump or swelling in the mouth, jaw or neck
• unexplained bleeding or numbness in the mouth
• a loose tooth without obvious gum disease
• persistent difficulty swallowing, a changed voice, or a one-sided sore throat or earache lasting more than three weeks

When you call, say what you’ve noticed and how long it’s been there. Reception teams triage calls, and “a mouth ulcer that’s been there for five weeks” is useful information. You don’t need to use the word cancer. You just need to be clear that this is a persistent change, not a routine polish.

If you don’t have a regular dentist, contact NHS 111 for advice on urgent dental care, or speak to your GP. In 2026, NHS dental access is still patchy in places, but the route for a persistent mouth change is the same: get it looked at by a dentist or doctor who can examine it properly. Don’t wait for your next routine check if something has been there for weeks.

How NHS referral works in 2026

If your dentist or GP thinks a change needs specialist assessment, they can make an urgent suspected cancer referral. In England, this is designed to get you seen within two weeks. That doesn’t mean you have cancer — it means the change needs a proper look by a hospital team, quickly. Most referrals turn out not to be cancer, but the pathway exists so that the small number that are get seen early.

Your dental team can also refer you for a routine oral medicine opinion if something is persistent but not urgent. Either way, the important bit is not to self-diagnose from a search engine at midnight. A physical examination, sometimes with a biopsy, is how these things are properly checked.

A calm routine, not a cancer hunt

Mouth Cancer Action Month isn’t asking you to inspect your mouth every day until you find something to worry about. It’s asking you to know your normal, check occasionally, and act on anything that doesn’t settle. Two minutes, once a month, is plenty. If you’re not sure, book the appointment. That’s not being dramatic — it’s just sensible dental care.