Mouth Cancer Screenings

TREATMENTS

Mouth cancer is a serious condition that can affect anyone, but early detection significantly improves outcomes. If you’ve noticed any unusual changes in your mouth or throat, or if you’re simply concerned about your oral health, a mouth cancer screening could be a crucial step in safeguarding your well-being.

Mouth Cancer Screening in Edinburgh

Are You Concerned About Your Oral Health?

Your oral health is about more than just maintaining a beautiful smile—it’s about keeping you healthy and protected. As part of every dental examination at Inverleith Dentalcare, we perform a quick, painless mouth cancer screening that could be life-saving.

Mouth cancer screenings are one of the easiest, yet most important, steps you can take to stay proactive. Early diagnosis can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment, so we encourage you to include regular screenings as part of your routine dental care.

Early detection is key—your mouth cancer screening could save your life.

Mouth Cancer Screenings in Edinburgh

Is this the right screening for you?

You might be wondering if a mouth cancer screening is something you need. While everyone can benefit from a screening, it’s especially important if:

You’re over 40: The risk of mouth cancer increases with age.
You smoke or use tobacco products: These habits are a leading cause of mouth cancer.
You drink alcohol regularly: Alcohol use, particularly when combined with tobacco, raises your risk.
You’ve noticed changes in your mouth: If you’ve seen unexplained lumps, sores, or discoloured patches, it’s time to get checked.
You have a family history of cancer: Genetics can play a role in your cancer risk.
You want peace of mind: Even if you’re symptom-free, a screening provides reassurance.

If any of these sound familiar, a mouth cancer screening is a smart choice. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

A few minutes today could make all the difference for your future health.

The Screening Process

It is simple, non-invasive, and takes just a few minutes.

Mouth cancer screenings are a quick and painless part of your dental check-up. Here’s what you can expect during your screening:

Visual Exam: We’ll thoroughly inspect your lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, and other areas in your mouth to look for any unusual patches, lumps, or sores.
Physical Exam: We gently feel inside your mouth and around your jaw for any abnormal lumps or swelling.
Neck and Throat Check: We also check your throat and neck for signs of anything unusual that could point to mouth cancer.
Discussion: We’ll go over any findings with you and recommend the next steps if we find anything that needs further attention.

Our Dentists

Benefits of Getting a Mouth Cancer Screening

What Our Patients Are Saying

Inverleith Dentalcare

4.9

Based on 349 reviews

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Clara Gore

08:29 11 Feb 25

What a great gentle experience! Thank goodness for a lovely dentist

billy darling

08:21 11 Feb 25

Outstanding service as always

Amanda Robbins

08:15 10 Feb 25

Thomas Chan

11:20 07 Feb 25

David is very gentle and considerate with his patients. He explained every steps during the treatment. Very satisfied.

Gordon Clayton

10:00 06 Feb 25

Although a double appointment with the Hygienist is not my idea of fun, Rihanna and her Assistant were as usual very pleasant and took care to carry out the various procedures with care and ensure my comfort and provide good advice for future dental hygiene. Inverleith Dental practice can be recommended for care. .

chris fowles

15:27 30 Jan 25

I had an excellent hygiene appointment today with Brianna and Peter.They were very professional and the level of cleaning was second to none. I appreciated the advice that was given at the end of the appointment regarding my at home care.Thanks!

Brian Mulholland

14:23 06 Jan 25

I had a great experience at Inverleith Dentalcare. John McAleavey was very thorough during my check-up and used a camera system to create a 3D scan of my teeth, showing where plaque had built up, which was really helpful. Briana, the hygienist, did an excellent job, leaving my teeth feeling very clean. Overall, I was very pleased with the service and would recommend Inverleith Dentalcare, especially John and Briana.

Iwona Walkowiak

11:29 19 Dec 24

I was able to secure an emergency appointment as a new patient and was impressed by the friendly and welcoming reception staff. The dentists were both positive and highly professional, ensuring a smooth and painless removal of my wisdom tooth. Thank you so much for the exceptional care. I highly recommend their services.

Dona Easton

10:16 02 Nov 24

I cannot recommend this practice highly enough!It is a delight to visit. I am treated with courtesy, friendliness and respect from the reception staff. Likewise, my excellent dentist - Dr Chris Fowles, who is highly skilled and takes time to explain all the procedures to me, often on screen, which ensures my complete understanding of all my treatments.

David Wilson

20:26 15 Oct 24

Excellent service. Emergency appointment as lost a filling away from home. Staff were exceptionally helpful and supportive. From Reception through to Treatment it was a very positive experience. Should I move to Edinburgh I would be extremely happy to apply to join their books. Many thanksDavid Wilson

Jean Kenyon

18:00 12 Aug 24

David Neilson

16:45 08 Aug 24

Great dentistry. I would definitely recommend.

Susanne Goetzold

13:57 25 Jul 24

Really happy with this dental practice. Chris Fowles is an excellent dentist. He takes time to explain treatment and options and also explains what he is doing during check ups and treatments, so nothing comes as a surprise. Great for anxious patients. He also has a great sense of humour. Staff always really friendly and helpful.

Mariam Aziz

08:46 25 Jul 24

I would very highly recommend the Inverleith Dental clinic. They are very professional and really knowledgeable. The admin staff is very helpful and will get you the information that you need to make a decision abo the best treatments you need. Dr. John McAleavy is excellent. He was also very knowledgeable about my TMJ issues and he was really understanding during the appointment and he sign posted me to the tools I needed; this made me feel that he cares about my progress and the best outcome for my case. Overall, I had a great experience and I can confidently say that will come back to Inverleith for any follow ups and future dental needs.

mattias nuella

20:16 24 Jul 24

The staffs were nice and big ups to Dr. Chris, my consultation session with him was good and he was friendly.

Sandra Johnson

19:00 24 Jul 24

Could not ask for better treatment! Thank you so much for all your care, attention and kindness for my son Jay who is having treatment with Chris Fowles he has Cerebral palsy and cannot make it up the stairs so they use a room downstairs to support Jay, Chris has been so thoughtful and makes Jay feel at Ease and explains everything he is doing before he does it this really means a lot. Highly recommend to anyone.

Jo Nash

17:14 17 Jul 24

I met with Dr John McAleavey as a new patient for a consultation about my complex dental health situation. I'm a nervous patient and was instantly at ease on entering the practice. John really listened to my background story and quickly spotted the source of my problems that had been missed by other dentists. My assessment was the most rigorous I've ever received, yet very gentle. John took the time to explain everything thoroughly and clearly. I left the practice with a sense of peace that I'd found the answers I'd been seeking, and confident I was in the hands of expert professionals. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Rosemary Jamieson

19:58 05 Jul 24

I was anxious before my first appointment with Inverleith Dental - my dentist of 25 + years had retired and I needed a practice nearer home - but I should not have worried!The welcome from the receptionist was lovely - The initial conversation with the dentist was very helpful - I learned about the ethos of the practice and felt I was being listened to - in addition this chat took place before the mouth examination so I was not in the reclining position which can put the patient at a disadvantage!The receptionist was most helpful with my mobility problems on leavingThe beautiful Georgian building is a bonus

Ookii Neko

11:50 09 Jun 24

I found Inverleith Dentalcare as I needed emergency dental treatment. They were very accommodating and managed to allocate an appointment the next day. Their service is second to none with professional and caring staff, dentists take the time to explain the procedure to the patient, and use modern standard techniques, materials and treatments. Worth every recommendation.

Your Questions Answered

Mouth Cancer Screening FAQs

How often should I get a mouth cancer screening?

It’s recommended that you get screened for mouth cancer at least once a year, typically during your regular dental check-up. However, if you’re at higher risk, more frequent screenings may be advised.

What are the signs of mouth cancer I should look out for?

Common signs include sores that don’t heal, lumps, patches of white or red tissue, unexplained bleeding, and persistent pain in the mouth or throat. If you notice any of these, schedule a screening as soon as possible.

Does a mouth cancer screening hurt?

No, the screening is completely painless. It involves a visual and physical examination, and if advanced tools are used, they are non-invasive and comfortable.

Can anyone get mouth cancer?

Yes, anyone can develop mouth cancer, but certain factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and age increase your risk. Regular screenings are important for early detection, regardless of your risk level.

What happens if something abnormal is found?

If we detect any concerning areas during your screening, we’ll discuss the findings with you and recommend further tests or refer you to a specialist for a biopsy if needed.

Is mouth cancer treatable?

Yes, especially when detected early. Regular screenings can catch cancer in its early stages, significantly improving the chances of successful treatment.

How long does a mouth cancer screening take?

A typical screening only takes a few minutes and is usually done as part of your regular dental check-up.