When to Get an Oral Cancer Screening From Your Family Dentist

Oral cancer occurs inside the mouth and is so often called mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer, and a family dentist will usually check for this disease during routine dental visits. However, if you are experiencing abnormal mouth pain, lumps, or lesions before your next exam, it may be a good idea to schedule an oral cancer screening. Here are a few more things to know about mouth cancer checks.

Why obtaining an oral cancer screening is beneficial

A family dentist can perform an oral cancer examination to look for indications of cancer or precancerous conditions within the mouth. These examinations aim to identify any abnormal growth early to increase the chance for successful treatment.

High-risk individuals

High-risk individuals are more likely to benefit from frequent oral cancer screenings. Risk factors that often contribute to developing this condition include:

• A previous mouth cancer diagnosis or cancer history
• Alcoholism
• The use of any tobacco products
• A history of extended exposure to the sun

Identifying signs and symptoms

Since mouth cancer falls under the umbrella of head and neck cancers, signs of the disease may appear in many places on or near the mouth. This cancer often occurs on the gums, lips, tongue, lining of the cheeks, or roof of the mouth. Mouth pain or an abnormal growth can indicate oral cancer, and additional symptoms include ear pain, difficulty swallowing, or loose teeth. Patients should make an appointment with a dentist or doctor if any symptoms last longer than two weeks.

What to expect during a screening

Although there is no proven way to prevent oral cancer, scheduling a screening or consistently visiting a family dentist for routine exams can help diagnose it more quickly. Patients may reduce anxiety about a screening exam by knowing what to expect.

Additional testing

Some dentists may use additional tests in conjunction with a routine exam to identify mouth cancer properly. Conducting an oral cancer screening dye test is one way many dentists can recognize abnormal cells within the mouth. Additionally, an oral cancer screening light test helps dentists discern healthy dark tissue from abnormal white tissue within the mouth.

Screening results

When signs of oral cancer are present, often dentists will schedule an additional follow-up visit within three to four weeks to verify the problem area is still there or observe any growth or changes. During this visit, a dentist or doctor may also conduct a biopsy or sample of cells from the mouth to determine if any cancerous cells exist. Sometimes results are readily available, but more frequently patients may not get test results for several days after the initial procedure.