Why Oral Cancer Screenings Should Be a Routine Part of Dental Visits

Many people think of dental visits as a way to prevent cavities and keep their teeth clean. Still, another important reason to see your dentist regularly is oral cancer screening. These quick, painless checks can detect early signs of cancer in the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, and surrounding tissues. When caught early, oral cancer is much easier to treat, and survival rates improve significantly.

According to the American Dental Association, “Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat” (ADA). This wide range of areas makes routine screenings especially important. Because early oral cancer often does not cause pain or obvious symptoms, many people do not realize anything is wrong until the disease has progressed. A dentist is trained to spot subtle changes that the average person would easily miss.

Several factors can increase the risk of developing oral cancer, including tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, prolonged sun exposure to the lips, and infection with certain strains of HPV. Age also plays a role, with a higher risk in adults over 40. However, oral cancer can affect people of many different backgrounds, which is why screenings should be routine and not based only on risk factors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that early detection plays a significant role in the successful treatment of oral cancers. When abnormal tissues are found early, treatment can begin before the cancer has time to spread to other parts of the body. Oral cancer screenings are simple and take only a few minutes. During the exam, your dentist will look for red or white patches, sores that do not heal, lumps, or any other unusual changes in the tissues of the mouth and throat.

This small addition to a routine dental visit has the potential to protect not just your smile, but your overall health and life. Including oral cancer screenings as a regular part of your dental visit is one of the most proactive steps you can take for long-term wellness.

Sources

American Dental Association
https://www.ada.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth