How Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer

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Oral cancer screening is a great way to catch cancer early, though not everyone thinks of their dentists as cancer screeners. Here, we’ll look at how they approach the art of screening and why it just might save your life.

Prevention Year After Year

The biggest benefit of a regular dentist is that they get to see how your mouth changes every time they see you. If you’re going as often as you should — twice a year — that’s quite a few data points that they rack up after even just a few years.

You might think that cancer in the mouth will present as large lesions, sores, or rough patches, and while this is sometimes true, there are some cancers that don’t have any obvious symptoms. Instead, the doctor is looking for smaller precancerous signs, such as small bumps that you might have dismissed as nothing more than an annoyance.

What to Expect

There are a few key parts of the oral cancer screening in Long Beach, CA:

  • Visual: Your dentist will look for any abnormalities, including swelling, color changes, and ulcerations. They’re examining not just the gums and throat, but the roof palate, tonsils, and uvula. You’ll need to remove any removable devices, such as dentures, to complete the exam.
  • Physical: The dentist can feel masses or nodules that you might miss during a self-screening, which is why they’ll typically prod your cheeks, under the chin, and around the jaw. They’re checking to see how flexible your tissues are and if there’s any unexplained swelling that could indicate a cancerous cluster of cells.

You’ll only need a biopsy if the dentist in Long Beach finds anything. If there are any mildly anomalous signs, the dentist may also ask you to monitor the progress of it on your own or visit again in a few weeks to check in on the area.

It can be intimidating to schedule an oral cancer exam, but at [practice_name], we can tell you that it’s also one of the smartest things you can do for your long-term health. The more proactive you are, the less likely you are to be blindsided down the road. The good news is that even standard dental exams can be a good place to start!