Diagnostic Services
Oral Cancer Screenings
A quick, non-invasive check of your mouth, tongue, and neck, performed as part of your dental exam to help spot unusual changes early.
Why screening matters
Oral cancer can develop on the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, floor or roof of the mouth, and throat. In its early stages it often causes no pain and may look like a minor sore or patch, which is why it can go unnoticed.
Because you see your dental team regularly, your dental exam is a good opportunity to check these tissues. Finding unusual changes early generally means more options if further investigation or treatment is needed.
What a screening involves
An oral cancer screening takes only a few minutes and is included as part of your exam:
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Health history review
We ask about any changes you have noticed and about factors such as tobacco or alcohol use.
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Visual examination
Your dentist looks at your lips, cheeks, gums, the top, sides, and underside of your tongue, the floor and roof of your mouth, and the back of your throat.
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Gentle feel of the tissues
Your dentist may gently feel your jaw, neck, and the tissues inside your mouth to check for lumps or areas of firmness.
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Discussion and follow-up
If anything looks unusual, we may recheck the area after a short time or refer you for further evaluation.
Changes to tell us about
Between visits, let us know if you notice any of the following:
- A sore, ulcer, or irritation that does not heal within about two weeks
- White or red patches inside the mouth or on the lips
- A lump, thickening, or rough area in the mouth or neck
- Ongoing hoarseness, sore throat, or a feeling that something is caught in your throat
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue or jaw
- Numbness in the tongue, lips, or other areas of the mouth
Most changes like these turn out to have another cause, but only an exam, and sometimes further testing, can confirm what is going on.
Who is at risk?
Factors associated with a higher risk of oral cancer include tobacco use in any form, heavy alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, frequent sun exposure to the lips, and increasing age.
Oral cancer can also occur in people with none of these risk factors. That is why screening is part of the exam for every adult patient, not only those considered higher risk.
Part of every checkup
Oral cancer screening is one part of a thorough dental exam. Keeping up with regular visits helps us notice changes over time. If you have a concern between appointments, call us at 780-944-2828 rather than waiting for your next checkup.
You can also check your own mouth once a month in a well-lit mirror. Look at your lips, gums, cheeks, and all sides of your tongue, and gently feel your neck and under your jaw. Getting to know what is normal for you makes it easier to notice when something changes.
Diagnostic Services
- Diagnostic Services Overview
- Diagnostic Imaging/Digital X-Rays
- Intraoral Cameras
- Oral Cancer Screenings
Keep up with your regular exams
Call 780-944-2828 or book an appointment online.