Oral Cancer Screenings at a Dentist’s Office Can Save Lives

When was your last oral cancer screening in Mt Vernon, New York? While cancer of the mouth is a serious condition, early detection is essential for successful treatment before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. That’s why Elevation Dental Studio does oral cancer screening every time you come to our office for a routine dental exam.

Cancer kills someone every hour in the United States. Dr. MitzAnn Edmond and the team aim to reduce mouth cancer deaths through regular screenings. When we detect oral cancer early, it’s easier to stop it in its tracks before it metastasizes.

Oral cancer symptoms

Oral cancer can manifest anywhere in your mouth, including the lips, tongue, gums, palate, cheeks, etc. One of the reasons routine cancer screenings are important is that the symptoms can look innocuous or they appear when the disease is at an advanced stage. Oral cancer screenings at a dentist help to identify abnormal cells in your mouth for specialized diagnosis and treatment.

Despite these seemingly commonplace symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor when the signs below persist for a few weeks.

Mouth sores that don’t heal
Red or white patches on the lining of your mouth, tongue, or gums
An abnormal lump in your gums or neck
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Unexplained weight loss

Oral cancer occurs when squamous cells in the mouth mutate and multiply faster than healthy cells. As these abnormal cells increase, tumors develop in the mouth and can spread to other body parts if not detected and treated early.

Oral cancer can affect anyone, but specific factors heighten the risk. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to sunlight, and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) are among the factors that increase susceptibility to oral cancer.

What to expect from oral cancer screening at a dentist’s office

An oral cancer exam at our office is a fast and painless procedure, often completed in five minutes. The procedure is done during your regular dental exam, so you don’t have to schedule a separate appointment.

Before the exam, we’ll ask you to remove any removable appliances like dentures, Invisalign, etc., to have an unobstructed view of the oral cavity. Then, we’ll visually and physically inspect your gums, lips, neck, throat, and other structures to detect possible precancerous and cancerous signs.

Sometimes, we can use special lights and dyes to aid the screening process. We’ll refer you to a specialist for a biopsy and treatment if we spot concerning findings.