Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer

Early Detection is your Best Protection against Oral Cancer

Dr. Denison recommends that all adult dental patients have a cancer screening test performed once a year. Oral pathology involves diagnosing and treating diseases of the mouth such as cysts, tumors, and precancerous and cancerous lesions. Diagnosing diseases in the mouth as early as possible is very important. The earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more successful treatment will be. The patient simply rinses with a solution for 30 seconds and Dr. Denison uses a photo-luminescent stick to evaluate the patients’ cheeks, gums, tongue and throat to detect any suspicious growths or discolorations.

What to Expect During An Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer screenings are a simple, quick step in your routine dental visit that allows Dr. Denison and his team to check for any signs of oral cancer in the mouth, jaw or tongue. By doing an assessment of the soft tissues of your mouth, we are able to discover any abnormalities and refer you out to a specialist for further testing if needed. During an oral cancer exam, Dr. Denison will:

Dr. Denison will check out your cheek, gums, lips, tonsils, tongue and the roof and floor of your mouth for any red or white patches or sores.

He will feel the tissues of the mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as the neck and thyroid for any abnormalities. Please let our team know beforehand if you have any areas that are sore or tender.

You will rinse with a special fluorescent mouthwash before Dr. Denison shines a light in your mouth to help further identify any abnormal tissues. This light will distinguish healthy tissue from atypical tissue.

After your exam, Dr. Denison will relay his findings to you and if he discovers any abnormalities, he may order further testing or refer you to a specialist.

Treatment

Treatments will vary depending on the type of disease that is found. The specific needs of each patient will be addressed on a case by case basis in order to achieve the best results. Our office is dedicated to making any procedure performed as comfortable as possible.

Self-Oral Cancer Exams

It is a good idea to become familiar with the structures in your mouth so that you may be able to identify any areas that do not seem normal. Conducting periodic self-oral cancer screenings between dental exams can potentially help to diagnose areas of concern in the early stages of growth. Like most cancers, oral cancer is most easily treated when detected and treated early.

Results

Our team will share the findings of your oral cancer screening right away. If we believe you may have signs of cancer, Dr. Denison may refer you to a specialist to provide an accurate assessment and diagnosis. The two most common types of tests that are performed include:

Using a brush and a piece of cotton, cells are collected from your mouth. Afterwards, a pathologist will examine them under a microscope to determine if they are cancerous.

A piece of the abnormal tissue is removed and sent for further analysis by a pathologist.

Risk Factors

According to the American Cancer Society, using tobacco dramatically increases a person’s risk of developing head and neck cancers including those of the oral cavities. This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco. Here are some other factors that increase a person’s risk of getting a disease like oral cancer:

  • Drinking alcohol excessively
  • Drinking and smoking together
  • A lack of a well-balanced nutrition
  • Genetics
  • Poor oral hygiene habits
  • Sun exposure

We Look Forward to Helping You Achieve a Healthy Beautiful Smile!