April is famous for a lot of big events – Earth Day, Arbor Day, etc. That said, few know that it also hosts Oral Cancer Awareness Month. You’d do well to honor the occasion and learn more about its namesake. You could even start by noting how your dentist performs an oral cancer screening. Your Copperas Cove dental practice will gladly assist you with that. Here’s a primer on oral cancer screenings, why they’re done, and what they look for.
What’s an Oral Cancer Screening?
As you may know, a dentist closely examines your mouth at a dental checkup. An oral cancer screening is one part of this process.
Essentially, oral cancer screenings are exams that check your mouth for cancer. Most adult patients get them every few months, along with teeth cleanings. They can also include extra tests to identify abnormal oral cells when necessary. Whether you require such tests can vary by case and a dentist’s thoughts.
Why Do Dentists Perform Them?
Dentists perform oral cancer screenings to ensure early detection of the disease. That way, a patient is more likely to have their cancer (or lesions) removed and cured.
Remember: oral cancer is often deadly once it spreads far enough. Its 5-year survival rate drops to 69% when it reaches nearby tissues and organs. Plus, roughly half of the diagnosed don’t survive past the five-year mark. The ones who do can be disfigured if the cancer is caught too late.
Of course, oral cancer screenings improve those odds. The early diagnosis they can provide raises the 5-year survival rate to 86%. So, they’re absolutely worth getting at each checkup.
What Do the Screenings Look For?
An oral cancer screening has two major parts: the visual and physical exams. Each assesses the gums, palate, soft tissue, and tongue for unusual signs.
For the visual exam, a dentist looks for asymmetries. Things like bumps, swellings, lumps, sores, and white patches can point to cancer. That being the case, a dentist will use a small light and mirror to look for them in your nose and mouth. They’ll also use a tongue depressor to check the back of your throat.
The physical exam has the dentist touch areas that can contract oral cancer. In particular, they’ll move their hands around your head, cheeks, and jaw, under the chin, and inside the oral cavity. Any odd masses will be noted and may get further testing.
Now that you know more about oral cancer screenings, you can better appreciate their role. Make sure your dental provider includes one in your next dental checkup.
About the Practice
Benchmark Family Dental is based in Copperas Cove, TX. As led by Dr. Daniel Caraveo, our practice strives to help each patient achieve their dream smile. We thus offer custom treatments that span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency dental care. Our team also performs oral cancer screenings at each patient’s dental checkups. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (254)-547-4866.