Having a sore throat isn’t something you’re likely to be too concerned about.
But adults with prolonged pain and raspy voices should be aware that it could be a sign of something much more sinister, dentists have warned.
Dr Rhona Eskander and Dr Anna Cantlay have stressed that persistent sore throats could be one of the lesser well known symptoms of mouth cancer.
Instead of relying on honey and lemon tablets or gargling salt water to soothe the pain, those constantly plagued by them should take a trip to their dentist.
Adults with prolonged pain and raspy voices should be aware that it could be a sign of something much more sinister, dentists have warned
Loose teeth, tongue pains, poorly fitting dentures and difficulty chewing food should also be taken more seriously, the dentists warned.
The warning comes amid a surge in cases of head and neck cancer – of which oral is the most common form – as adults often neglect their oral health.
Worrying statistics show the prevalence of head and neck cancers has soared by nearly a third since the 1990s.
However, projections show the disease is continuing to spiral, and cases will surge by another 33 per cent in the next 20 years.
Currently it kills around 2,400 people each year in the UK, while in the US the toll is often as high as 13,000.
Dr Eskander, winner of Best Young dentist 2017, has stressed the importance of early detection of mouth cancer.
She told MailOnline: ‘Oral cancer survival rates are significantly increased if the it’s found early when the cancer is the easier to treat.
‘As dentists, we regularly look for signs of mouth cancer during your regular check ups, but it is also really important for patients to be able to recognise the signs too.
‘Since symptoms manifest in several ways such as unexplained white patches, sore throats, sores that do not heal, it can be overlooked.’
Oral cancer is where a tumour or growth develops inside the mouth, including lips, tongue, gums, inside of the cheeks and roof of the mouth.
Other cancers related to the mouth can also occur, including tonsils, salivary glands and throat cancers.
Dr Cantlay, an NHS GP based in London, warns that poor lifestyle choices are responsible for nine out of 10 cases of oral cancer.
Poor lifestyle choices are responsible for nine out of 10 cases of oral cancer, the dentists warned.
They said: ‘Oral cancer is more common in people who smoke, drink alcohol and have a poor diet lacking in fruit and vegetables.’
The risk of not eating enough greens is concerning, as statistics show that only a quarter of adults regularly get their five-a-day.
Oral and throat cancer can be caused by HPV caught from oral sex, and years of dangerous tanning and sunbed use can also be a risk for developing skin cancers on the lips.
Dr Cantlay is keen to promote the use of male condoms or dental dams as a way reduce HPV transmission in oral sex and slash any possible risk of cancerous growths in the mouth.
She said: ‘We know from recent surveys that around 75 per cent of 16-44 year olds have heterosexual oral sex.
‘Practicing safe sex and ensuring 12-13-year-old girls have the HPV vaccine is an important step in reducing this risk.’
Their comments were made in time for the annual Mouth Cancer Action Month, which occurs each November.
They added: ‘It is easy to take for granted the importance of our mouths. We use them daily, without much awareness of how integral they are for daily life.
‘Our mouths help us to breathe and to eat, the two foundations of survival.
‘They contain one of the strongest muscles in the body, the masseter, making it possible to chew our food.
‘The tongue allows us to taste and enjoy our food as well as facilitating swallowing.’