Oral Cancer Exam

Why Oral Cancer Screenings Matter

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, with over 7,000 resulting in death. The good news? Oral cancer can be diagnosed early with an annual oral cancer exam and is highly treatable when caught in its earliest stages.

Oral cancer often begins without obvious symptoms, which is why regular screenings by your dentist are so important. The most common type is malignant squamous cell carcinoma, which typically originates in the lip and mouth tissues.

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Where Oral Cancer Can Occur

We carefully examine all areas of your oral cavity and maxillofacial region, including:

• Lips
• Mouth
• Tongue
• Salivary glands
• Oropharyngeal region (throat)
• Gums
• Face

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What We Look For

During your oral cancer exam, we scrutinize your mouth and surrounding areas for signs of pathologic changes:

Red patches and sores – Red patches on the floor of the mouth, front and sides of the tongue, white or pink patches that fail to heal, and slow-healing sores that bleed easily can indicate cancerous changes.

Leukoplakia – A hardened white or gray, slightly raised lesion that can appear anywhere inside the mouth. Leukoplakia can be cancerous or may become cancerous without treatment.

Lumps – Soreness, lumps, or general thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth can signal problems.

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The Examination Process

The oral cancer exam is completely painless. During the visual examination, we look for abnormalities and gently feel your face, glands, and neck for unusual bumps. We may also use advanced diagnostic tools like lasers that can highlight pathologic changes below the surface that would be invisible to the naked eye.

If we find any abnormalities, lesions, leukoplakia, or lumps, we'll create a diagnostic impression and treatment plan. If initial treatment is ineffective, we may perform a biopsy to identify the precise stage and grade of any oral lesion.

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Prevention and Risk Factors

About 75 percent of oral cancers are linked with modifiable behaviors such as smoking, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. We're here to provide education and support for lifestyle changes and smoking cessation.

While we check for changes and lesions during your bi-annual cleanings, we recommend a dedicated comprehensive oral cancer screening at least once each year.

Any noticeable abnormalities in your tongue, gums, mouth, or surrounding area should be evaluated as quickly as possible. Early detection is key to effective treatment.