Your dentist likes to see you every six months. During these visits, they regularly check your mouth and teeth for cavities and gum problems. But your dentist is also your first line of defense against something more serious: mouth cancer.
Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheek, floor of your mouth, hard and soft palate (front and back of the roof of your mouth), and throat. Men are twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer, making it the sixth most common cancer among men.
This cancer can become life-threatening if not detected and treated early. That’s why many dentists use these routine visits to check for signs of cancer.
“Evaluating the oral cavity, including the soft tissues, is part of my exam when patients are in the office for a checkup,” he says. Todd Coy, DMDDirector, Cleveland Dental Clinic.
What is oral cancer screening?
An oral cancer screening is an important part of everyone dental checkup, says Dr. Coy. These screenings are comprehensive — and usually begin before your physical exam even begins.
First, your dental hygienist will update your medical history with any changes that have occurred since your last visit. They will note if you have been diagnosed with any new conditions or illnesses, or if you are taking any new medications.
The medical history will likely also include questions about risk factors for oral cancer, which include smoking and drinking too much alcohol. People who smoke and drink alcohol have an even higher risk of mouth cancer.
Your hygienist or dentist will also want to know about your current overall health, including any dental concerns.
During a cancer screening, your dentist will examine areas both inside and outside of your mouth.
“A screening should include an extra-oral examination of the head and neck, as well as an intra-oral examination of the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, floor of the mouth and gum tissues,” says Dr Coy.
The dentist looks for any lumps, sores, or irregular tissue changes, including discoloration. If they find anything suspicious, such as a lesion, your dentist may recommend a biopsy or refer you to an oral surgeon.
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer often presents as a growth or sore that won’t go away. For example, you may have persistent sores on your face, neck or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks.
Other common signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Lumps or lumps, rough spots/crusts/eroded areas on the lips, gums or other areas inside your mouth.
- Velvety white, red, or mottled white-red patches in your mouth.
- Unexplained bleeding in your mouth.
- Unexplained numbness or pain/tenderness in any area of your face, mouth or throat.
- Pain or a feeling that something is caught in the back of your neck.
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking or moving your jaw or tongue.
- Chronic sore throat, hoarseness or voice changes.
- Ear pain.
- Changes in your ‘bite’.
- Dramatic weight loss.
How often should you be checked?
Regular dental checkups will help you avoid problems with your teeth. But because your dentist is also in a good position to pick up signs mouth cancerscheduling dental appointments every six months is a good routine to follow.
“There are very few downsides to more frequent screening,” notes Dr. Coy.
When to check in with your dentist
A good rule of thumb is to see a dentist for lesions that do not go away within two weeks. Dr Coy advises. “Examples would include red or white patches, ulcers, lumps or other growths.”
Difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, as well as any pain, numbness or change in your bite should also prompt an immediate visit with your dentist or a doctor.
Don’t wait for a symptom to become painful, says Dr. Coy.
“It is important to understand that pain is not a predictable indicator. So don’t assume because it doesn’t hurt that it’s not a problem,” he says.
And when you see your dentist, don’t hesitate to share any questions or dental concerns you may have. No subject is too trivial or trivial to bring up – and simply speaking up can save your life.
