What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?

Which disease kills nearly 10,000 people each year and affects nearly 50,000? If you guessed oral cancer, you’re absolutely right. This devastating and serious condition doesn’t get a lot of attention in the media, but it is nothing that should be taken lightly. In fact, it is a good idea for everyone to make a screening for oral cancer in Jacksonville part of their annual routine. What will your dentist look for during the screening?

A Visual and Tactile Examination

Some signs of oral cancer are easy to discern with the eyes. Even if you don’t see them when you look in the mirror, you dentist might spot them during your screening. A tactile examination, during which your dentist will use their hands to look for signs of cancer, is also important because it could reveal things that aren’t yet visible. Some indicators of potential trouble include:

• Red, white, or swollen patches on the gums or cheeks
• Other discoloration in the mouth
• Facial asymmetry
• Rough patches on the tissue in or around your mouth
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

It’s Important to Know Your Own Body

Some potential symptoms of oral cancer aren’t things that your dentist in Jacksonville can see or feel, which is why it’s important that you mention it if you’ve been experiencing any of the following:

• Unexplained changes to your voice
• A persistent cough
• Bad breath that won’t go away
• Pain when swallowing
• Any unusual pain in your mouth, ears, or face
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth

Is Screening Really That Important?

Screening for oral cancer is important for everyone, but it is especially vital that certain groups get screened because they are at a higher risk for developing the disease. Your dentist might ask you some questions about your lifestyle and habits and strongly encourage you to get screened if any of the following are true about you:

• You regularly use tobacco products
• You consume a lot of alcohol
• You spend a lot of time outdoors
• You are a man
• You’ve contracted the human papilloma virus
• You have a weakened immune system

What If the Dentist Notices Something?

If your dentist notices that you have some of the signs of oral cancer, that doesn’t mean for a certainty that you have the disease. You’ll need to get a biopsy before you receive an official diagnosis. If tests come back positive, your medical care provider will talk with you about treatment options.

The good news is that, even if you are diagnosed with oral cancer, your chances of beating it are high if you catch the disease early on. That’s why screenings are so vital. Taking a bit of time every year to ask your dentist to look for signs of cancer could save your life!

About North Jacksonville Complete Dentistry

At North Jacksonville Complete Dentistry, we always strive to provide comprehensive dental care, which includes thorough oral cancer screenings. If you think you should get screened, or you have questions about anything related to your oral health, please get in touch! You can contact us at 904-751-4958.