ORAL CANCER SCREENING
We take a wholistic approach to your dental care, which includes an oral cancer screening as a part of your regular exam.
A beautiful smile is a healthy smile
ORAL CANCER SCREENING
An oral cancer screening is a brief examination performed by your dentist to detect early signs of cancerous or precancerous conditions in your mouth. Regular oral cancer screenings allow us to catch signs of cancer as early as possible before cancer can spread and become more difficult to cure.
The best time to conduct these screenings is during your routine check-ups and dental cleanings, as they ideally take less than five minutes to complete. We recommend all those at increased risk of contracting oral cancer to get regular screenings, but even those without these risk factors should consider getting this quick, easy exam done during regular visits as a cautionary measure.
RISK FACTORS FOR ORAL CANCER
While healthy people may also wish to have regular oral cancer screenings done, you will probably benefit most from this exam if you are already at high risk of contracting oral cancer. West Richmond Family Dentistry recommends getting regular oral cancer screenings done if you meet any of the following high-risk factors:
- Tobacco usage in any form, including pipe, cigarette and cigar smoking as well as chewing tobacco, snuff and more
- Significant consumption of alcohol
- History of oral cancers such as throat, mouth or lip cancer
- Significant sun exposure, either ongoing or in the past
If you feel you may be at increased risk of cancer, speak with our team at West Richmond Family Dentistry to discuss ways to reduce your risk and see which screenings or tests may be best for you.
What To Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening
Because your oral screening is noninvasive and will usually take place during your routine appointments, you don’t need to prepare anything ahead of time. Simply come in for your scheduled cleanings as normal, and your provider will discuss the screening with you before proceeding.
During the exam, your provider will look over the inside of your mouth, checking for mouth sores and red or white patches within the mouth. They will also gently feel along the tissues in your mouth to detect any lumps or other physical abnormalities. In some cases, they may also check your throat and neck for concerning bumps or lumps.
Be aware that, if your provider does detect signs of cancerous or precancerous lesions, you may be asked to partake in additional tests. One such test is a dye test, which requires you to rinse your mouth with a special blue dye that latches onto abnormal cells in your mouth, making them easier to detect. Another test that may be performed is a light screening, which uses direct light to highlight abnormal tissues while darkening the healthy parts of your mouth.
The results of these exams may necessitate a follow-up visit at a later date or a biopsy procedure to take a sample of the relevant cells to determine if cancer is present.
For more information about routine oral cancer screenings, contact West Richmond Family Dentistry at 804-282-9600 or request an appointment online.
