Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is any malignant growth that develops on your lips, cheeks, gums, the front part of your tongue, the floor of your mouth, the base of your tongue, throat, and hard palate. Certain risk factors such as smoking and alcohol abuse can increase your risk of developing oral cancer. During a preventive checkup at the dentist, an oral cancer screening will be performed. This examination is performed in order to identify the earliest stages of oral cancers. Early detection allows for an early and more successful treatment of oral cancer.

Medical History

Your dentist will begin by going over your health history. You may be asked about your exposure to radiation through X-rays or cancer treatments. The dentist may also ask you lifestyle and behavioral questions such as how much alcohol you consume and whether or not you smoke. You may also be asked about your family history and personal history of cancer.

Oral Exam

The dentist will also perform an oral exam of your mouth to look for changes such as sores and abnormal spots. Your dentist may carefully touch certain areas or use mirrors or small lights to get a better look underneath your tongue and at the back of your throat. If you have any sores, irritation, or lumps in your mouth that last for more than two weeks, you may need to visit the dentist specifically for an oral cancer screening.

Oral Cancer Screening Tests and Procedures

If an abnormality is detected, your dentist may perform another test. One method is to have you use a special mouth rinse that temporarily dyes abnormal cells blue. Your dentist may collect a sample of the cells and send them to a lab for testing.

Call Portage Park Dental today to schedule an oral cancer screening.