Oral Cancer Screening: What Dentists Look For & Why It Matters
Changes in the mouth can sometimes develop without causing pain or obvious symptoms. Examining the lips, tongue, gums and other oral tissues gives Dr. Christine Chin an opportunity to look for unusual changes that may need closer evaluation.
An oral cancer screening is an examination of the mouth and surrounding tissues for unusual changes, including sores, patches, lumps or areas that look or feel different. A screening does not diagnose cancer, but it can help identify an area that may need additional evaluation. A normal oral examination cannot rule out every cancer, particularly those developing in areas of the throat that are not easily visible during a routine dental exam. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated even if nothing unusual was found at a previous visit.
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What Does Dr. Chin Look For?
During an oral examination, Dr. Chin looks at areas of the mouth that patients may have difficulty seeing themselves.
She may examine the:
Lips and inside surfaces of the cheeks
Tongue and the tissues beneath it
Gums and other tissues inside the mouth
Roof and floor of the mouth
Other visible or palpable areas when appropriate
The goal is to notice anything unusual and determine whether it should simply be monitored or evaluated further.
What Changes Can Be Concerning?
Many changes in the mouth are caused by conditions other than cancer. A sore, irritated area or color change does not automatically mean something serious is wrong.
However, changes that persist or cannot be readily explained deserve attention. These can include:
A mouth sore that does not heal within two weeks, or an unexplained red or white patch that persists
Unexplained red, white or mixed-color patches
A lump, thickened area or unusual change in the tissues
Unexplained bleeding or persistent tenderness
Persistent changes in chewing, swallowing or movement of the tongue or jaw
If you notice a persistent or unexplained change in your mouth, don’t wait for your next routine dental visit to mention it. Do not wait two weeks if a symptom is severe or worsening.
Who Has a Higher Risk for Oral Cancer?
Oral and throat cancers can occur in people with different backgrounds and risk profiles, but certain factors can increase risk.
These include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, increasing age, significant sun exposure for cancers of the lip, and infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly in cancers involving the oropharynx.
Having a risk factor does not mean someone will develop cancer, and having no known risk factors does not make screening for unusual oral changes unnecessary.
Does an Oral Cancer Screening Hurt?
A routine visual and tactile examination is generally quick and does not require injections or drilling.
Dr. Chin visually examines the oral tissues and may gently feel certain areas of the mouth, jaw or neck when appropriate.
If you’re nervous or have a sensitive area, tell us before the examination so we can work with you as comfortably as possible.
What Happens If Dr. Chin Finds Something Unusual?
Finding an unusual area does not mean that you have oral cancer. Many sores, patches and tissue changes have non-cancerous causes.
Depending on what Dr. Chin sees, she may recommend monitoring the area, having it rechecked, or referring you to an appropriate specialist for further evaluation.
If additional testing or a biopsy is needed, the purpose is to determine what the tissue change actually represents rather than trying to diagnose it based on appearance alone.
Why Do Regular Dental Visits Matter?
You may think of a dental checkup primarily as a time to look for cavities and clean your teeth. But regular dental visits also give Dr. Chin an opportunity to look for changes in your gums, tongue and other oral tissues.
That ongoing history can be valuable because it allows the dental team to notice something that looks different from a previous examination or an area that has not resolved as expected. For more on what happens at a dental visit, read Dental Exam & Cleaning: What to Expect at Your Checkup.
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Christine Chin, DMD is an Oregon Health & Science University-educated dentist with more than 35 years of dental experience.
Learn more about Dr. Chin and Cedar Hills Dental Care.