What is an Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer is a mouth cancer that can affect your lips, tongue, throat, cheeks, and/or gums. It can be fatal so the sooner it is discovered and treated, the better. At Savanna Market Dental, we are trained to detect signs that are not always visible to the naked eye. We perform a thorough visual and physical inspection of your mouth and surrounding areas to see if we notice any tissue changes. These screenings usually happen during your dental cleaning and only take a few minutes.

How Does Oral Cancer Happen?

You may be a victim of oral cancer for no reason at all or as a result of engaging in these types of activities that heighten your risk.

• Consuming excess alcohol

• Smoking tobacco

• Prolonged exposure to the sun

• Low fruit and vegetable intake in your diet
  
  

Developing oral cancer increases when you:

• Have an HPV infection

• Are over 40 years old
  
  

The disease is also twice as common in males than females so if you suspect anything, you should visit your Calgary NE dentist as soon as possible.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Four major warning signs you should look out for are:

1. Mouth sores that do not heal

2. A thick feeling in your cheeks

3. Problems chewing, swallowing, or generally moving your jaw or tongue

4. A lump on your neck, throat, or mouth

What Kinds of Oral Cancer Are There?

Three of the most common types of oral cancer are:

1. Squamous Cell Carcinoma – The most common type of all, it comes in the form of thin, flat cells that line the mouth and throat.

2. Verrucous Carcinoma – A slow form of squamous cell carcinoma which usually occurs within the oral cavity.

3. Adenocarcinoma – A type of mouth cancer that begins in the salivary glands.
   
   

There are treatments available. Speak with your dentist in NE Calgary to find out what is right for you. Oral cancers can be successfully treated with medication, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

What is the Oral Cancer Screening Process?

A screening usually begins with an extraoral exam where your face, neck, and head are thoroughly inspected. During this process, your dentist feels for any enlarged lymph nodes while also looking for asymmetry, fissuring, skin growths, crusts, or colour changes.

Next, is an intraoral soft tissue exam of your lips, tongue, the floor of your mouth, and hard/soft palates.

If there are any abnormalities, you will either be scheduled for another visit in a few weeks to see if anything has changed or undergo a biopsy. The biopsy involves removing sample cells for lab testing. You may be referred to a doctor specializing in oral cancer for this type of situation.

Screenings should happen annually starting from the time you turn 18.