Oral cancer screenings may not be at the top of everyone’s list, but they are necessary. They not only help our South Bend, IN, dentist detect signs of oral cancer, but they also alert you to subtle symptoms and in turn, receive swift medical treatment.
Here’s an overview of a typical oral cancer screening and risk factors of the condition that you should consider.
What an Oral Cancer Screening Involves
When you come in for a teeth cleaning every 6 months, the appointment will start with one of our hygienists screening you for oral cancer. The screening itself is quick, painless, and though it makes up a small portion of your visit, it’s crucial for catching symptoms before it’s too late.
An oral cancer screening consists of two main parts: a visual and a physical exam. Our hygienist will be sure to give you a heads up before starting so you’re aware of what’s happening.
We’ll start with the visual portion and ask that any removable dental appliances, like dentures, be removed so the entire mouth can be observed. During this part of the screening, our hygienist will use a light and mirror to look for:
- Lip or mouth sores
- White or red patches inside the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Abnormal swellings, lumps, or bumps
- Ulcerations
Your face, lips, neck, cheeks, and mouth will all be visually examined for asymmetries and obvious abnormalities. If all looks normal, our hygienist will move on to the physical portion of the screening.
Besides visual observation, our hygienist will also gently touch your face, mouth, and neck to check for any hard lumps of tissue. You may not always notice developing masses as early stages of oral cancer are commonly painless. Having a simple screening performed can be what saves you in the end.
Both a physical and visual exam are helpful when it comes to early oral cancer detection. If it’s been awhile since you’ve last been screened or you are concerned about a related symptom, please schedule an appointment with our dentist so we can perform an oral examination.
Top Oral Cancer Risk Factors
The onset of oral cancer can be difficult to predict but there are a few factors that can increase someone’s risk for developing the condition. While genetics and family history can come into play here, they are not the only contributing factors.
The following may increase your risk for oral cancer:
- Are 55+ years old
- Smoke or use other tobacco products
- Excessively consume alcohol
- Have a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Expose your lips to the sun without protection, i.e., lip balm
What Happens After the Screening?
If everything looks good and feels normal during the screening, we’ll proceed with your teeth cleaning and ask you to return in another 6 months. Should something appear abnormal and require further evaluation, our dentist will inform you of any additional tests needed. We may also ask that you come back in after a week or so to see if the area has changed.
Benefits of an Oral Cancer Screening
To recap, an oral cancer screening has the potential to save your life. It does this by giving our dentist the opportunity to detect cancer in its early stages when it’s most treatable. Oral cancer screenings are essential for everyone but especially for those with more risk factors. For example, we may highly recommend oral cancer screenings if you have a history of smoking or have been diagnosed with HPV.
An oral cancer screening is just one of the many ways we look out for your overall health and wellness at Select Dental Associates.
Schedule an Oral Cancer Screening
Many patients don’t think twice about oral cancer screenings but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still important. If you need one outside of your annual checkup, our dentist in South Bend, IN, can help. Call Select Dental Associates today at (574) 213-7478 to request an appointment.