Should I Be Screened for Oral Cancer?

Should you be screened for oral cancer? Absolutely. The Oral Cancer Foundation recommends that you go for oral cancer screening every year after turning 18. In addition to that, dentists generally recommend checking your mouth every month for white sores, lumps, or patches. 

 

This is crucial if you smoke or have smoked tobacco or often drink alcohol, as these put you at a greater risk for oral cancer. Oral cancer includes tumors of the lips, cheeks, tongue, soft and hard palate, the floor of the mouth, throat, and sinuses and requires urgent treatment.

 

Why Screening Is a Good Idea

Statistics from the American Cancer Society show that roughly 53,000 people in America are diagnosed with oral cancer annually, and more than 10,000 lose their lives to the illness every year.

 

Diagnosing oral cancer early can improve your chances of effective treatment and survival. This is because the disease does not heal on its own, and it can become fatal if not detected and treated early. That is why screening for oral cancer is a good idea, as well as an important part of your routine dental checkups.

 

Signs You Should Be Screened for Oral Cancer

There are various signs of oral cancer to look out for. Early signs of the disease are sometimes mistaken for colds or toothaches, and this is why it is important to see your dentist if you spot any of these signs.

 

• Lumps, swellings, or rough sores on the gums, lips, or other sections inside the mouth
  
   

• Throat pain or a constant feeling that something is stuck inside the throat
  
   

• Continuous bad breath
  
   

• Pain in the ear
  
   

• Bleeding inside the mouth with no clear cause
  
   

• Growth of red and white patches inside the mouth
  
   

• Numbness or loss of feeling without a clear reason, or pain and soreness in any part of the mouth, face, or neck
  
   

• Constant lesions on the mouth, face, or neck that easily bleed and do not clear up within two weeks
  
   

• Voice changes or hoarseness
  
   

• A variation in the way the teeth fit together
  
   

• Sudden loss of weight
  
   

If you see any of these signs, it is important to consult your dentist. Do not wait around for your next dental checkup if you experience swelling or sores in your mouth that are not healing. 

 

Likewise, do not wait for a symptom to ache. Pain is not a requirement; you should not conclude that it is not an issue just because a symptom is not painful. Any change in your mouth concerning the signs mentioned should prompt a checkup with your dentist straight away.

 

Additionally, do not hesitate to reach out to your dentist to seek guidance if you have any questions or concerns. Schedule a checkup if your dentist suggests it - at the very least, it could help ease your mind.


 

To learn more about screening for oral cancer, visit Concierge Smile Boutique at our office in Culver City, California. You can call (424) 404-6400 or text (424) 361-6272 today to book an appointment.