Why Is Regular Oral Cancer Screening Important?
Oral cancer is one of the most serious health risks your mouth can face, and one of the most often overlooked in routine health care. At Dentist on Colonial Drive, we include oral cancer screenings in Ocoee, FL, as part of every comprehensive dental exam because early detection truly saves lives. The earlier oral cancer is found, the more treatable it is.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. The five-year survival rate improves dramatically when cancer is detected in its earliest stage.
Who Is at Risk?
While oral cancer can affect anyone, risk factors include:
- Tobacco use of any kind, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, particularly HPV-16
- Prolonged, unprotected sun exposure (a risk factor for lip cancer)
- A previous oral cancer diagnosis
- A weakened immune system
Importantly, about 25% of oral cancers occur in people with no risk factors at all. This is exactly why screening matters for everyone, not just those in high-risk groups.
What Does an Oral Cancer Screening Involve?
Our oral cancer screening is quick, painless, and non-invasive. During your exam, Dr. Nalini Ramlochan, D.M.D. will:
- Visually inspect your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, roof and floor of the mouth, and throat
- Feel for lumps, irregularities, or swollen lymph nodes in the jaw and neck area
- Look for unusual patches, sores, or discoloration that may require follow-up
If anything looks unusual, we’ll discuss next steps, which may include monitoring, a biopsy referral, or further imaging. A finding during screening is not a diagnosis, but it is an opportunity to get ahead of a potential problem.
Warning Signs to Watch for Between Visits
- A sore or ulcer in the mouth that doesn’t heal within two weeks
- A red or white patch on the gums, tongue, or cheek lining
- Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
- Persistent hoarseness or a sore throat
- Unexplained bleeding, numbness, or pain in or around the mouth
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait for your next check-up; call us. Early action is everything.