Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The goal of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.
Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Indeed, Every adult needs to be annually screened for oral cancer at dental checkups. Because early detection and treatment comes with an 80-90% five-year survival rate, which means early intervention saves lives!
Understanding Oral Cancer
Oral cancers are cancers that develop in the throat or mouth, including the lips, tongue, gums, and the floor of the mouth. Oral cancer is difficult to detect until it reaches an advanced stage, which increases the importance of regular screenings for early detection.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancers
- Chewing tobacco
- Smoking tobacco
- Regular alcohol consumption
- HPV-16
- Other/unknown factors
Cancer Warning Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms that indicate oral cancer. These include:
- Persistent Mouth Sores: Mouth sores that don’t heal in two weeks may be cancerous. As a result, These sores may bleed and hurt.
- Red or White Patches: Red or white patches on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth that do not go away can be there because of abnormal cell growth.
- Chronic Sore Throat: Oral cancer may cause a chronic sore throat that may not heal or respond to therapy.
- Lump or Thickening: A thickening, or rough spot in the mouth, throat, or lips that doesn’t resolve should be examined by a healthcare professional.
What Is The Oral Cancer Screening Procedure?
Self-Examinations
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to screen for oral cancer is through self-examinations.
How to perform a self-exam:
- Start by visually inspecting your lips, gums, and inner cheeks. Look for any sores, white or red patches, or lumps.
- Gently feel your lips, gums, and cheeks with your fingers to check for any unusual lumps, swelling, or tenderness.
- Stick out your tongue and check closely including sides and underside of tongue to check for any discoloration, sores, or irregularities.
- Use a mirror to look at the roof and floor of the mouth and feel it with your fingers for any bumps or irregularities.
- Gently feel your neck for any lumps or swollen glands.
Professional Screening Method
Before doing a clinical oral exam, a dentist or doctor will take medical and lifestyle history from you. This may include:
- History of tobacco and alcohol use
- Whether or not anyone in family has had oral cancer
- If you’ve recently noticed any concerning areas in your mouth
- If you’ve ever had a biopsy for any reason
Professional screenings may include the following methods:
- Visual Examination: Your dentist will visually inspect your mouth, lips, gums, tongue, and throat for any signs of abnormal tissue or growth. Moreover, This may include the use of a light to look at the back of your mouth and throat.
- Palpation: Your dentist will feel the tissues in your mouth and neck to check for any lumps, swelling or that might indicate a problem.
- Screening Devices: Specialised screening devices are used to identify abnormal cells that may not be visible to the naked eye. These devices may use a blue light or a fluorescent light to highlight abnormal tissue.
- Biopsy: If your dentist finds any suspicious areas during the examination, they may recommend a biopsy. This involves taking a small tissue sample for further examination under a microscope to determine if cancerous or precancerous cells are present.
- Imaging Tests: In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans may be used to get a clearer view of the affected area and check if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Oral cancer exams should be part of your regular dental care routine and must be performed annually by everyone. It can be the reason for saving your life.
At Ohm Dental, we emphasize the importance of early detection through both self-examinations and professional screenings. By understanding this, you can take proactive steps toward prevention and peace of mind.
Protect Your Health with Oral Cancer Screening at Ohm Dental.
Schedule your appointment with us and make your health a priority. Your well-being starts with awareness—and we’re here to help.
