People who suffer from mouth ulcers are being urged not to ignore persistent sores, as they could be an early sign of oral or throat cancer. While most ulcers are harmless and heal within one to two weeks, any lesion lasting longer than two weeks warrants a professional check-up, according to Dr Andrej Bozic, an oral surgeon at Dentum.
Dr Bozic explained that ulcers that persist, bleed, or recur in the same spot are red flags. 'Most ulcers are harmless and clear within a week or two,' he said. 'But if one persists, bleeds, or keeps coming back in the same spot, it's a red flag that shouldn't be dismissed.' He noted that oral cancers often start small and painless, making early detection crucial.
Mouth cancer incidents have doubled in the UK over the past two decades, and HPV-linked throat cancers are among the fastest-growing cancer types, especially in men. Risk factors include smoking, regular alcohol consumption, and HPV infection. Dr Bozic advised maintaining regular six-monthly dental check-ups, as dentists are trained to spot early signs of cancer and other diseases.
The NHS advises seeing a GP or dentist if a mouth ulcer lasts longer than three weeks. Most single ulcers are caused by accidental cheek biting, stress, or irritation, but persistent sores should not be ignored. Dr Bozic added: 'If one refuses to heal, don't wait. Getting it checked could save your life.'
