Mouth Cancer Action Month

This November is Mouth Cancer Action Month, a charity campaign run by the British Dental Health Foundation to raise awareness of mouth cancer. It aims to increase education of the risk factors, signs, symptoms, and to encourage everyone to discuss these with their dental professional.

In the UK, more than 6,700 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer last year and it is one of the very few cancers which are predicted to increase in the coming years. This makes education, early detection and prevention vital.  The campaign encourages everyone to know what to look for and most importantly, to take action. Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer; however they are most common in people aged over 40, particularly men. It is still very important for people of all ages to be aware of the risk factors. Most cases are linked to the use of tobacco (smoking, chewing, or passive), and alcohol. When consumed together or in excess, the risk is even greater. Recent reports have also shown that oral cancer is linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can be spread through unprotected oral sex. The HPV virus is also strongly linked with cervical cancer.

Mouth cancer can most often be spotted early by your dentist at your routine dental check-up. If the dentist finds anything unusual, they are then able to refer you to a consultant to carry out a thorough examination of the mouth and throat. It is important to visit your dentist regularly so that they can monitor the health of your mouth and spot any abnormalities.

At Indigo Little we make this an important part of our routine check-up  and actively try to educate our patients on the risks of mouth cancer. Do your part by making sure you come in to visit your dentist regularly and encouraging all of your family and friends to do so as well.

If you would like to get involved in the campaign or find out more, you can visit their website on www.mouthcancer.org

Posted by Indigo Little on 21st November 2014, under Mouth Cancer

Dr. Kishanie Wijesinghe Little BDS

Dr. Kishanie Little is passionate about delivering excellent dentistry and dental restorations that are life-like and indistinguishable from natural teeth. She believes that restorations (fillings/crowns/veneers) should look beautiful – and that they should last. Dr. Little keeps abreast of new developments in restorative dentistry through post-graduate training.

Dr. Little is also an experienced Facial Aesthetistician, including Botulinum toxins (such as Botox) and Dermafillers. She appreciates how simple and subtle changes to smooth and relax muscles can “freshen” a face, to look younger.

In her personal time, she loves to cook, read, run, practice yoga and pilates, play a bad game of tennis and am now learning to play golf. She loves Art and Theatre and support the Tate Modern. She also enjoys writing and has a book in the works.