Examine yourself in the mirror with a bright light
Lip Examination
Use bi-digital palpation, a tactile method of oral examination in which you use your thumb and forefinger to feel for any hard lumps or areas of soreness. Pinch your lip by placing your pointer finger on the inside of your mouth, and your thumb on the outside. Apply moderate pressure, pressing the lip tissue between your finger and thumb.
Cheeks examination
Using the same bi-digital palpation, feel your cheeks. Feel for any hard lumps or areas of soreness.Examine the insides of your cheeks for red, white or dark patches
Floor of the mouth examination
The floor of your mouth is the area under your tongue. This is to be examined by bimanual palpation. Place the pointer finger of one hand under your tongue, while pressing up with the thumb of the other hand on the outside of the jaw. Directly oppose the finger in your mouth. Feel for any hard lumps or areas of soreness. Press firmly.
Tongue examination
Use bi-digital palpation to feel your tongue. Stick your tongue out and palpate the body of the tongue, feeling for lumps or areas of soreness.Stick your tongue out, grab the tip, and look at each side for any lesions
Oropharyngeal examination
Oropharynx is the region of posterior 1/3 rd of your tongue, soft palte and tonsillar region.Stick your tongue out, say “Ahh,” and look at your oropharyngeal area, for any inflammation or sores
The Roof of Mouth examination
Tilt your head back and look at the roof of your mouth. Look for sores, inflammation, discolouration
Gums examination
Pull out your lips and take a close look at your gums for any sores/ discolouration
Neck examination
Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in both sides of the neck, including under the lower jaw