The comprehensive dental exam for early diagnosis of oral cancer

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

One of the most important parts of the examination that I give each patient during their check-up visit is an exploration for early warning signs of oral cancer.   This cancer occurs on the lips (usually the lower lip), inside the mouth, on the back of the throat, the tonsils or salivary glands. It occurs more frequently in men than women, and is most likely to strike those who are over forty years old. Smoking in combination with heavy alcohol use is a key risk factor.

Importance of Early Detection

If not detected early, oral cancer can require surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. It can also be fatal, with an overall five-year survival rate of approximately 50 percent.  Part of the reason for this poor prognosis is a failure to recognize the early symptoms, so detecting oral cancer early is the key to successful treatment.
 

Symptoms to Look For

Patients are not usually able to spot the earliest warning signs of oral cancer, which is why regular check-ups with both your dentist and physician are so important. In addition to regularly scheduled check-ups, you should make an appointment to see us if you have any of these symptoms or conditions: a sore on the lips, gums, or inside of you mouth that bleeds easily and doesn't heal; a lump or thickening in the cheek that you can feel with your tongue; loss of feeling or numbness in any part of your mouth; white or red patches on the gums, tongue or inside of mouth; difficulty chewing or swallowing food;  soreness or unexplained pain in your mouth;  a feeling that something is caught in your throat with no known cause; swelling of the jaw causing dentures to fit poorly; or an unexplained change in voice. If you experience any of these, be sure to let us know as soon as possible so we can rule out oral cancer as the cause.