Why do you go to the dentist?
Most people would answer this question with some version of “to take care of my teeth.” They’re not wrong, but tooth care is only one aspect of preventive dentistry. During a routine dental checkup, your dentist also performs a screening for oral cancer.
Oral cancer screening is one big reason why regular dental checkups are so important, even for adults. Because while oral cancer can be very serious, early detection greatly improves your chances of a positive outcome. In other words, the sooner we detect it, the better.
Oral Cancer Defined
Cancer, in general, occurs when your body’s cells begin growing and replicating much faster than usual. This leads to the formation of growths that can eventually crowd out and interfere with the function of healthy tissue. When this happens to any tissue in the mouth, the patient is said to have oral cancer.
While there are many types of oral cancer, some of the better-known ones include:
- Buccal Mucosa Cancer: This is a cancer of the tissues in the inner cheek. In its early stages, it may feel like there’s a lump inside your cheek tissue.
- Gum Cancer: Some patients mistake cancerous lesions on the gums for gum disease.
- Tongue Cancer: Cancer can develop on either the visible part of your tongue or further back, where your tongue connects to your throat.
- Lip Cancer: Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two types of cancer that can affect the lips.
Many cases of mouth cancer are easy to overlook or brush off in the early stages. For example, you may assume a sore on your lip is a cold sore, when really it’s an early sign of squamous cell carcinoma. Or you might assume you have gingivitis, when really your red gums are a sign of cancer. It’s always best to ensure your dental checkup includes a cancer screening, so you can have the dentist take a look with their experienced eyes.
Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?
People often think of oral cancer as an issue only smokers need to worry about. It is true that smoking tobacco dramatically increases your risk of oral cancer. Plus, about 80% of oral cancer patients are tobacco users, according to the American Cancer Fund.
What’s important to remember is that this means 20% of oral cancer patients are not tobacco users. In other words, one in five people diagnosed with oral cancer does not use tobacco. That’s significant. It means that you should still be screened for oral cancer even if you’re not a smoker.
Some of the other risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Sun Exposure: This can increase your risk of melanoma, specifically.
- Age: The older you are, the greater your risk.
- Diet: Those who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk than those who avoid or limit such foods.
- HPV: In both men and women, exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) increases the risk of oral cancer.
The bottom line is this: oral cancer can happen to anyone, so it’s always wise to have routine screenings at your preventive dentistry visits.
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer does not start off as terribly painful, disfiguring, or obvious. In fact, the early symptoms can be so subtle that patients don’t always notice them until the dentist points them out. However, if you do notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to schedule an oral exam for cancer ASAP:
- Sores that don’t heal: If you know what caused a sore, or if it heals within a couple of days, there’s likely no reason to be alarmed. On the other hand, sores that linger for days or weeks, seem to reappear, or grow larger without healing, can indicate oral cancer.
- Pain or numbness: Unexplained pain or a loss of sensation in your cheek tissue, gums, tongue, or lips is a red flag.
- A mass or lump: Cancerous lumps start off small, so see your dentist about any new bumps, regardless of size.
- Reduced movement: Trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue can indicate cancer.
- White patches: While many white patches have a benign cause, others indicate cancer. See your dentist about any white or otherwise discolored spots on your cheeks, tongue, gums, or lips.
Preventing Oral Cancer
While there is nothing you can do to guarantee you’ll never develop oral cancer, there are certainly ways to reduce your risk. Smoking tobacco is the biggest risk factor, so if you’re not a smoker, don’t start. And if you are a smoker, it’s time to quit! Note that chewing tobacco is also a risky choice.
Drinking alcohol also increases your risk of oral cancer. That doesn’t mean you can never enjoy a glass of wine again, or that you can’t participate in the toast at your daughter’s wedding. But it is one of many good reasons to drink alcohol sparingly.
Finally, make sure you apply a lip balm with SPF before spending time in the sun, and eat a balanced diet with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. Many people successfully increase their fruit and veggie intake by setting a goal of eating either a fruit or a veggie with every meal and snack.
Oral Cancer Screening
Keeping an eye out for symptoms and taking preventative steps are both important, but they are not a replacement for routine oral cancer screenings. As an early detection dentist DeLand residents can count on, OCMD makes screening a part of our preventive dentistry visits. But what can you expect during a screening session?
From the patient’s perspective, oral cancer screening is easy! There’s nothing you need to do to prepare, other than perhaps write down any worrisome symptoms you’ve been experiencing so you remember to ask the dentist about them. Your dentist will first conduct a visual exam, closely looking at the tissues in your mouth and throat. They may then palpate (or feel) your cheeks, face, and jawline to check for any suspicious lumps or bumps.
During your preventive dentistry visit, we may also have you rinse with a fluorescent mouthwash. We’ll then use a special light to take a look at your mouth. The mouthwash will ensure that any abnormal tissue appears glowing white.
If we do notice anything suggestive of cancer during your preventive dentistry appointment, we’ll arrange for a biopsy and, if needed, refer you to the necessary specialists to take a closer look.
Being diagnosed with oral cancer is scary, but the prospects are promising when it’s caught early. Dr. Labrada and our staff urge all patients to take oral health and cancer screening seriously. It could save your life! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or if you’d like to schedule a visit. When it comes to oral cancer screening, Orange City Modern Dentistry is the place to be.