Oral Cancer
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is an important part of the preventive dental care we provide at Mid Cities Dental. During your dental exam, our doctors check your mouth and surrounding tissues for unusual changes that may need to be monitored or evaluated further.
Changes in the mouth are not always painful or easy to notice on your own. Regular dental visits give our team an opportunity to examine areas you may not be able to see and identify potential concerns early.
What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a simple examination that can be performed as part of your routine dental visit. Our dental team carefully checks areas of your mouth for changes in the appearance or feel of the tissues. Your screening may include an examination of your:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Gums
- Inside of the cheeks
- Roof and floor of the mouth
- Throat and other surrounding tissues
We may also check your jaw and neck for unusual lumps, swelling, or other changes.
What Happens If We Find Something Unusual?
Finding an unusual area during an oral cancer screening does not necessarily mean that you have oral cancer. Sores, irritation, infections, and other conditions can cause changes in the tissues of your mouth.
If we find an area that concerns us, we will discuss what we see and recommend the appropriate next step. Depending on the finding, this may include monitoring the area, scheduling a follow-up examination, or referring you to an appropriate specialist for further evaluation.
When Should You Have an Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screenings can be incorporated into regular preventive dental examinations. These routine visits give us an opportunity to monitor your oral health over time and recognize changes that may not have been present at your previous visit.
You should also contact our office if you notice a persistent change in your mouth rather than waiting for your next regularly scheduled appointment.
Changes in Your Mouth You Shouldn't Ignore
A sore that doesn’t heal, an unusual lump, persistent irritation, changes in the color or texture of oral tissues, or difficulty swallowing should be evaluated.
Our article What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer? provides additional information about signs and symptoms you may notice between dental visits.
Oral Cancer Screening Is Part of Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dentistry isn’t limited to protecting your teeth from cavities. Regular examinations allow us to evaluate your teeth, gums, and other tissues throughout your mouth.
At Mid Cities Dental, oral cancer screening is one part of our approach to Preventive Dentistry, along with services such as Dental Hygiene that help us monitor and protect your oral health.
Treating Tooth Sensitivity
No. An oral cancer screening is a visual and physical examination of your mouth and surrounding tissues and should not be painful.
Changes in oral tissues do not always cause noticeable symptoms. Regular dental examinations give your dentist an opportunity to check areas of your mouth that can be difficult for you to see yourself.
No. Many conditions can cause changes in the tissues of your mouth. If we notice something unusual, we will explain what we found and recommend whether it should be monitored or evaluated further.
Contact Mid Cities Dental rather than waiting for your next preventive appointment. Our dental team can examine the area and determine whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
Schedule an Oral Cancer Screening
Regular dental examinations are an important opportunity to monitor more than just your teeth. If it is time for your preventive dental visit or you have noticed an unusual change in your mouth, contact Mid Cities Dental to schedule an appointment.
Schedule an AppointmentAt Mid Cities Dental, we know that Oral Cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than half of all people diagnosed with this type of cancer are ever cured.
Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications-some of them chronic and painful-from their cancer treatment. These include dry mouth and overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay.
What happens if it is not treated in time?
If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues, leading to disfigurement and pain.
Where in the mouth does this cancer show up?
Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk.
This type of cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums, and other soft palate tissues in the mouth.
Warning Signs
In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy areas, and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult.
Who is at risk?
Here are some additional warning signs:
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
- Unusual bleeding or persistent sores in the mouth that won't heal.
- Lumps or growths in other nearby areas, such as the throat or neck.
If a tumor is found, surgery will generally be required to remove it. Some facial disfigurement could also result.
Prevention
Prevention is the key to staving off oral cancer. One of the biggest culprits is tobacco and alcohol use. Certain kinds of foods and even overexposure to the sun have also been linked to oral cancer. Some experts believe certain oral cancer risk factors are also hereditary.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against oral cancer. Maintaining good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups, are highly recommended.
Related Oral Health Articles
What is an Intraoral Scanner & How Can It Make Your Next Visit Hassle-Free?
Explore Our Other Dental Services
Mid Cities Dental offers complete dental care for patients of all ages in Hurst, TX. In addition to preventive dentistry, we provide restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental services to help protect, repair, and improve your smile.