A Quick Mouth Self-Check
Short answer. A weekly mouth self check means looking at your gums, tongue, cheeks, lips and teeth in good light and noting anything new or different. It does not diagnose anything, but it helps you notice changes sooner and bring them to a dentist or doctor.
- Use good light and a clean mirror, and spend about a minute.
- Look for changes from last week, not for perfection.
- Sores that do not heal, swelling, loose teeth and ongoing bleeding need a professional look.
- Write down what you notice and when it started.
- A self check supports, but never replaces, dental exams.
What is a mouth self check, and what is it not?
It is a short, regular look at your own mouth so that you know what is usual for you. Familiarity is the whole point. A person who sees their mouth every week is more likely to spot a new patch, bump or sore than someone who only notices when it hurts.
It is not a diagnosis. You cannot tell from a mirror what a spot is or why a gum looks different. The aim is simply to notice, note and, if something stays or worries you, ask a dentist or doctor.
How to do it in about a minute
Stand at a bathroom mirror with bright light. Look at your lips, then pull the cheeks gently aside to see the inner surfaces and gums. Check the top and underside of the tongue, the floor of the mouth and the roof. Then look at the teeth and the gum line, front and back as far as you can see.
Run a clean finger along the cheeks and under the jaw if that is comfortable, noticing any lump or tender area. Do it the same way each week so differences stand out, and do it before or after brushing as suits you.
- Lips and inside of the cheeks
- Gums and gum line
- Top, sides and underside of the tongue
- Floor and roof of the mouth
- Teeth, including any chips or dark spots
What counts as a change worth noting?
Pay attention to anything that was not there last week: a sore or ulcer, a white or red patch, swelling, a lump, gums that look puffy or bleed, a tooth that feels loose or looks chipped, or a new sensitive spot. Persistent bad taste or breath is also worth recording.
Many small things, like a bitten cheek or a canker sore, pass within a couple of weeks. Write the date next to what you saw so you can tell whether it is passing or sticking around.
When to book a dentist or doctor
Contact a dentist or doctor if you have pain, bleeding that keeps returning, swelling, a loose tooth, a mouth sore that has not healed, or a bad taste or breath that does not go away. Do not wait for your next routine visit, and do not try to self-treat.
Anything that worries you is reason enough to call. Bring your notes, including when you first saw it and whether it has changed, which helps the dental team decide what to do next.
Making the self check part of the weekly list
Tie it to something you already do, such as the same evening you check your brush. Keep a small note on your phone with the date and a line on what you saw, even if it is just that nothing changed.
If you find yourself worrying over every small mark, ask your dentist what is normal for your mouth at the next appointment. They can show you what to look for and what to ignore.
Questions readers ask
Can a self check replace a dental exam?
No. Dentists can see and measure things you cannot, including between teeth and below the gums, so keep regular visits.
How long should a spot or sore be watched before calling?
If a mouth sore has not healed after about two weeks, or sooner if it worries you, have it looked at. Bleeding, swelling and loose teeth should not wait.
Do I need any special tools?
Good light, a clean mirror and clean hands are enough. A phone light helps with the back of the mouth.
What if I notice something different but it does not hurt?
Lack of pain does not mean it is nothing. Note it, and if it is still there the following week, mention it to your dentist.
Talk to a professional. Persistent bleeding, pain, swelling, loose teeth or sores that do not heal need a dentist's attention, not a supplement.