Oral cancer can affect various parts of the mouth and throat. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. While routine dental visits are often associated with teeth cleaning and cavity checks, dentists play an important role in identifying oral cancer during these examinations. Their expertise includes a comprehensive assessment of oral health, screening for serious conditions.
How Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer
During a routine dental check-up, dentists screen for oral cancer. This involves a visual examination of the oral cavity, inspecting the lips, gums, inner cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, and throat for unusual changes. Dentists look for asymmetries, discolorations, or visible abnormalities on tissue surfaces.
Dentists also perform a physical palpation of the mouth and surrounding areas. They feel the tissues inside the mouth, neck, and jawline for lumps, swellings, tenderness, or thickening. This tactile examination helps detect abnormalities not immediately visible. Some dentists may use special screening tools, such as lights or dyes, to highlight suspicious areas.
Signs of Oral Cancer
Dentists identify common signs of oral cancer. A persistent sore on the lip or inside the mouth that does not heal within two weeks is a key indicator. Other visible signs include red or white patches, which may appear on the tongue, gums, or other soft tissues. These patches can be pre-cancerous conditions.
Lumps, thickenings, or crusty areas on oral tissues are also concerning. Patients might experience unexplained bleeding, numbness, or persistent pain or tenderness in the face, mouth, or neck. Difficulty swallowing, persistent sore throats, or changes in how dentures fit can also be symptoms.
What Happens When a Suspicion Arises
If a dentist identifies a suspicious area during an oral cancer screening, further evaluation is needed. A suspicious finding does not automatically confirm cancer, but it requires immediate follow-up to determine the cause. The dentist will recommend a referral to a specialist, such as an oral surgeon, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, or an oncologist, for assessment.
A biopsy is often the next step, where a small tissue sample is taken from the suspicious area. This sample is sent to a laboratory for microscopic analysis to determine if cancerous cells are present. Depending on the findings, further imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, or PET scans may be recommended to assess the extent of any disease.
Why Regular Dental Visits Matter
Regular dental check-ups are important for maintaining overall oral health and play an important role in the early detection of oral cancer. Most dental organizations recommend visits every six months. These routine appointments provide consistent opportunities for dentists to perform oral cancer screenings, often as an integrated part of the comprehensive exam.
Early detection of oral cancer is directly linked to improved treatment outcomes and higher survival rates. When oral cancer is detected in its early, localized stages, the five-year survival rate can be 70% to 90%. If the cancer is discovered at later stages when it has spread, the survival rate can drop, sometimes to as low as 20-50%. Therefore, regular visits serve as an important preventative measure, allowing for timely intervention if any signs of concern are identified.