Why we screen
Your dentist looks at more than your teeth. Oral health connects to overall health, and finding changes early gives you the best chance to act on them. Screening is usually part of a checkup, just like checks for decay and gum disease, and you do not need any special preparation. Dentists or dental assistants can perform it as part of routine care.
Signs that call for a closer look
Many patients are screened with no symptoms at all. Tell us right away if you notice any of these:
- A thickened or rough spot in the mouth
- A sore or eroded area that does not heal
- New red or white patches
- Hoarseness, a sore throat or the feeling that something is stuck in your throat
- New difficulty speaking, moving your tongue or jaw, closing your teeth together, chewing or swallowing
- Pain or numbness in the lips or elsewhere in the mouth
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
- Weight loss
If a symptom is changing quickly or causing pain, a screening can help put your mind at ease.
Who is at higher risk
- People who use tobacco in any form, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco
- People who drink a lot of alcohol. Heavy drinking combined with heavy smoking raises the risk much further.
- People exposed to certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The CDC estimates that about 70 percent of oral cancers are associated with HPV.
- People with a history of oral cancer or a lot of time in the sun
- Men, who develop oral cancer at higher rates than women, and people over age 55
Talk with us about your medical history so we can better understand your risk.
What to expect
During a routine visit, the dentist looks carefully at your:
- Lips, inside and out
- Gums
- Inside of the cheeks
- Tongue
- Roof of the mouth
- Back of the throat
We also check under the jaw. If you wear dentures, we will ask you to remove them so we can see the tissue underneath. You can go about your day as usual right afterward.
If we see something
If an area looks unusual, we may ask you to return in a few weeks to see whether it has changed or healed. A dentist cannot tell for sure whether a spot is cancerous from a visual exam, so we may recommend more tests, such as a biopsy. A biopsy removes a small piece of tissue for a pathologist to examine. If you are scheduled for one, we will explain how to prepare. Our intraoral photos can also help us track suspicious areas.
Lowering your risk
The most important step is to avoid tobacco in every form. Limiting alcohol also helps. The HPV vaccine, recommended for preteens, may help prevent HPV-related oral cancers. Keep up with your regular checkups.
Common questions
How common is oral cancer?
According to the American Dental Association, more than 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol can lower your risk.
Does the screening hurt?
No. It is a visual and hands-on exam of your mouth and takes less than five minutes.
What is a biopsy?
A procedure that removes a small piece of tissue from a suspicious area so a specialist can examine it under a microscope. Some dentists do it themselves and others coordinate with another health professional.
How can I prevent oral cancer?
Avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, get the HPV vaccine if it applies to you, and keep up with regular dental visits.