The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings

​What Is Oral Cancer Screening?

It is an examination to check your mouth for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer screenings in Sunset Hill entail visual and physical examinations of the different oral features, including the lips, tongue, and throat. The dentist performing the test will be specifically looking to detect any signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. The goal of an oral cancer screening is to catch cancer early before it can spread to other parts of the body, improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.

Understanding the Process of Oral Cancer Screening

During an oral cancer screening, a dentist near you will examine your oral cavity for abnormal growths or lesions, such as red or white patches, sores that do not heal, lumps or bumps, or other unusual changes. The physical examination may also entail evaluating the neck and lymph nodes to check for swelling or tenderness. If present, it could indicate that cancer has spread.

Oral screening can sometimes involve special tools, such as a light or a dye, to better visualize the abnormalities in your oral tissues. The reason is that not all oral cancers are visible to the naked eye, and some early-stage cancers may not cause any noticeable symptoms.

​What Are the Benefits of Dental Cancer Screenings?

Oral cancer can develop in the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and the roof and floor of the mouth, forming different types of mouth cancer. Therefore, you need a screening test to help you keep tabs on your oral health. Some benefits of dental cancer screenings:

1. Early Detection: Dental cancer screenings detect oral cancer in its early stages before it spreads to other body parts.
2. The Benefits of Proactivity: Your dentist in Lindbergh will recommend several preventive measures to help you maintain good oral health if you are particularly at a high risk of developing oral cancer. It is beneficial to people who smoke or chew tobacco.
3. Better Treatment Outcomes: Early detection of oral cancer often leads to more effective treatment measures and outcomes.
4. Reduced Treatment Costs: You significantly lower the cost of treatment when you detect oral cancer early instead of the more advanced stages that require more extensive and expensive treatments.
5. Peace of Mind: Regular dental cancer screenings provide peace of mind by helping you feel more in control of your health.

Who Needs Oral Cancer Screening?

At My STL Dentist, we recommend oral cancer screening for everyone, regardless of age or gender. However, we acknowledge that some people have a higher risk of developing oral cancer than others and should be especially vigilant in getting screened regularly. Some of the common risk factors for oral cancer include:

1. Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and using smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of oral cancer.
2. Alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol usage also increases the risk of oral cancer.
3. HPV infection: The human papillomavirus (HPV), prevalent in people who indulge in oral sex, has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer.
4. Age: Mouth cancer is more common in people over 40 years.
5. Gender: Men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women.
6. Sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun without ample protection increases the risk of lip cancer.
7. Poor oral hygiene: Poor dental hygiene can lead to chronic irritation and inflammation of the oral tissues over time, which can increase the risk of oral cancer.

Will You Know When You Have Oral Cancer?

Usually, an oral cancer screening allows you to know whether you have oral cancer or are at high risk. However, it does not treat the disease. You would need further tests to diagnose you correctly before beginning treatment. Still, even without oral cancer screenings, the following symptoms will help you know you may have oral cancer:

1. Mouth sores or ulcers that do not heal within two weeks.
2. Red or white patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.
3. Swelling or lumps in the mouth, neck, or jaw.
4. Difficulty swallowing or speaking.
5. Persistent pain in the mouth, throat, or ear.
6. A sore throat that does not go away.
7. Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit properly.
8. Changes in your voice or speech, such as hoarseness or a lisp.
9. A persistent bad taste or smell in the mouth.
10. Numbness or tingling in the mouth or tongue.