Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, floor of the mouth, and throat. In its early stages it is often painless and easy to miss, which is why it is frequently found late. Caught early, it is far more treatable.
We check for warning signs at your regular exams. The screening takes a few minutes and does not hurt. We look and feel for sores, patches, lumps, or changes in the tissue that should not be there, and we keep notes so we can compare from one visit to the next.
Is this right for you?
- You are due for a dental exam. Screening is part of our routine checkups.
- You use tobacco in any form or drink alcohol regularly.
- You have a sore, white or red patch, or lump in your mouth that has not healed in two weeks.
- You have ongoing hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or numbness in your mouth.
What to expect
- 1
Health history
We ask about tobacco and alcohol use, sun exposure, and any changes you have noticed.
- 2
Visual exam
We look over your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, the roof and floor of your mouth, and the back of your throat.
- 3
Physical exam
We gently feel your jaw, neck, and the tissues of your mouth for lumps or areas that feel different.
- 4
Follow-up if anything looks unusual
Most findings turn out to be harmless. If something needs a closer look, we will recheck it or refer you for a biopsy.
Have questions before you decide?
Call us and we will be happy to walk you through your options.
Common questions
- How often should I be screened?
- At your regular checkups. If you have higher risk factors, we may suggest checking more often.
- Does it hurt?
- No. It is a visual and hands-on check that takes a few minutes.
- What are the risk factors?
- Tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, frequent sun exposure to the lips, and age all raise the risk. People with none of these can still develop oral cancer, so screening is for everyone.
Interested in Oral Cancer Screening?
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We will answer your questions and help you decide what is right for you.