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By Thomas Westerholm
Life & Trends Reporter
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A dentist on TikTok has shared a simple way people can check for oral cancer from home.
In her recent video, UK-based dentist Bianca Coveva (@dentistbianca) explained that there's an easy process to check for signs of the disease.
"It's not glamorous but it's got to be done," she wrote in the caption of her video. "On the first of every month, make sure you check your mouth (and other important bits too)."
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The video has since gone viral, amassing more than 200,000 views.
Here are Coveva's instructions on how to check for oral cancer from home.
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Wash Your Hands
First, make sure your hands are clean, as failing to wash your hands properly can lead to serious oral health issues.
Bacteria and viruses from unwashed hands can enter the mouth, increasing the risk of infections like gingivitis, cavities, and even hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
Look for Ulcers
Coveva then advises inspecting the outside of your mouth, looking "on the outside of your mouth and lips for any red/white/purple patches or ulcers".
She also noted that you should check your palate (the roof of your mouth) and the insides of your cheeks and lips.
As per Healthline, patches or ulcers may indicate abnormal cell growth, which can develop into malignant tumors. Often persistent, the lesions can result from genetic mutations, chronic irritation, or exposure to risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, or HPV infection.
White patches (leukoplakia) and red patches (erythroplakia) are particularly concerning, since they may represent precancerous or cancerous changes in the mucosal tissues.
Don't Forget Your Tongue
Coveva also recommended people check their tongues for lesions.
First, look underneath it for anything concerning, then stick your tongue out and check the top and sides.
"If you find anything you're worried about, seek the advice of a dentist," she added.
Users React
Some commenters had personal concerns about the advice, with one noting, "I bite the insides of my cheeks from anxiety habits. They are too torn up to get a good [look]," while another user wondered, "What if I get cold sores?"
Cold sores themselves are not a sign of cancer and typically heal within a couple of weeks.
However, in rare cases, persistent sores or ulcers that do not heal within two weeks and show abnormal growth may warrant further examination.
One TikTok user commented that they "have a sore at the end of my tongue on the left" that has "been there I think a year".
According to the American Cancer Society, "a sore on the lip or in the mouth that doesn't heal" could be a potential sign of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
Anyone who has experienced a sore for that long should be checked out by a medical or dental professional.
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