It’s easy to forget about oral cancer when you’re focused on achieving a white, radiant smile. This complication, however, is more common than it may seem, which is why you need to schedule regular exams. It’s much easier to treat when it’s diagnosed early, and these fast, easy checkups can become a part of your regular dentist visits.

What You Should Know About Oral Cancer Screenings

Dangers of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is responsible for almost 10,000 cancer-related deaths annually. Forms include cancerous growths in the throat, on the lips, in the neck, and in the mouth. Early detection can prevent it from spreading throughout the neck to the lymph nodes, which makes it much harder to treat.

Exam Schedule

The American Dental Association recommends that patients see the dentist twice a year for a dental cleaning. Your dentist can include an oral cancer exam during these visits. These are especially recommended for high-risk patients, including those who use tobacco, have HPV, have a family history of skin cancer, or have previously overcome skin cancer.

The dentist will first perform a visual exam of your mouth. Oral cancer can be tricky to spot, and they’ll look for sores and red and white patches. They’ll also feel the soft tissue to look for lumps below the surface.

The dentist will recommend a follow-up visit and biopsy—removing a small amount of tissue to have tested in a lab—to make a diagnosis. It’s a painless procedure that only adds a few minutes to your regular teeth cleaning.

Whether you’re overdue for an oral cancer screening or need a teeth cleaning, dentist Joy K. Lunan, DDS, will fulfill your needs. Dr. Lunan brings over 20 years of experience to her Middlebury, CT, patients. She handles both general care and cosmetic enhancements, like dental implants, veneers, and crowns. Explore her gum disease treatment online, or call (203) 598-7920 to schedule an exam.