What to Expect at Your Next Oral Cancer Screening

While examining the inside of the mouth is already a typical part of a regular dental check-up, for many people it is also worth scheduling an appointment for an oral cancer screening. The American Cancer Society predicts that more than 53,000 people will be diagnosed with oropharyngeal or oral cavity cancer in 2020, and together these two types of cancers are expected to cause more than 10,000 deaths.

Risk factors

If you are wondering if it is necessary for you to get a cancer screening, it can be helpful to know some of the risk factors. The most common one is smoking, with an even greater likelihood of cancer if that is combined with a habit of heavy alcohol use. It is thought that these two factors may be what account for oral cancer being twice as common in men. Sun exposure is another indicator of concern for lip cancer specifically. Presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) also has a rising correlation with cancer of the mouth.

Screening process

An oral cancer screening appointment involves a closer examination than is typical for a routine dental cleaning. Here is what can be expected:

A more detailed intake

The dental or medical professional should ask a number of questions, and it is important to be extremely honest when answering. It is common to dismiss certain symptoms as being no big deal or just one's imagination. Even if it seems like it is nothing, be sure to mention whatever comes to mind during the intake. These are some of the more common symptoms that may be asked about:

  • Ongoing hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Earaches, especially one-sided ones
  • Feeling small nodules on the side of the neck
  • Changes in the voice

Visual inspection

This type of screening entails far more than just looking inside the mouth. The screener also looks at the lips, face and neck to check for any indications of issues that need further investigation.

Physical examination

The screener next conducts a physical examination, using gloved hands to palpate, or touch, the different areas of the mouth, face and neck. This includes checking inside the mouth, underneath the tongue and inside the cheeks and lips, as well as palpating the body and sides of the tongue. The neck and face are also physically examined. At the same time, the professional continues the visual observation of all these areas.

Next steps

Depending on the results of the oral cancer screening, patients may be advised about suggested next steps. These may entail further examinations or diagnostic tests if any abnormalities were noticed.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Cancer Screenings in Gainesville, VA.

Conclusion

As with any type of cancer, the earlier that oral cancer is caught, the better the chance of a positive outcome. Oftentimes, there is no pain present in the early stages of this condition. Rather, the changes are often subtle, so it can take a trained professional who has screened hundreds of patients to be able to catch small warning signs.

Request an appointment or call Prince William Dental at 703-662-8287 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.

Recent Posts

When To Consult An Implant Dentist

Our implant dentist is here to help if you are considering getting dental implants. These are metal rods/screws that are placed into the jaw to replace missing teeth roots. Implants serve as bases for dental restorations that replace missing teeth like crowns, dentures, and bridges.Implants are often compared to real teeth since they do not…

An Implant Dentist Discusses Bone Growth And Healing After Placement

Considering dental implants? Read on to learn about the process from an implant dentist. Bone growth and healing are essential parts of the implant dentistry process. It can take time for the bone to grow and heal around the implant after it has been placed, so understanding what to expect and how long it typically…

What Are The Services That An Implant Dentist Provides?

An implant dentist is a dental professional who specializes in teeth replacement treatment with dental implant restorations. A dental implant is a screw-like titanium restoration that is placed into the jawbone and serves as the root of a replacement tooth (or multiple replacement teeth). In this review, we discuss the services that an implant dentist…

Prince William Dental

Share
Published by
Prince William Dental

Recent Posts

When to Consult an Implant Dentist

Our implant dentist is here to help if you are considering getting dental implants. These…

5 days ago

An Implant Dentist Discusses Bone Growth and Healing After Placement

Considering dental implants? Read on to learn about the process from an implant dentist.

6 days ago

What Are the Services That an Implant Dentist Provides?

An implant dentist is a dental professional who specializes in teeth replacement treatment with dental…

2 weeks ago

When Does an Implant Dentist Recommend Single vs Multiple Implants?

Dental implants are durable, natural-looking replacements for missing teeth. An implant dentist may recommend a…

3 weeks ago

The Key Differences Between a General and Cosmetic Dentist

A cosmetic dentist focuses on the appearance of a patient’s smile, while a general addresses…

3 weeks ago

Implant Dentist vs General Dentist: Who Should You Consult?

If you have missing teeth or are planning to get dentures, you might be wondering…

1 month ago