5 Commonly Asked Questions About Oral Cancer Screenings

Not at all. Mouth cancer exams are painless and non-invasive. They are also quick and usually take about five minutes. During the screening, the dentist visually inspects your gums, lips, throat, and other oral structures for patches, sores, lumps, and other abnormalities. The dentist may also use gloved hands to palpitate the throat and neck for unusual bumps, masses, or swellings. 

If Dr. Kreiner discovers an abnormal sore or other irregularity, you may wonder what happens next. The dentist will schedule a further test to examine whether the lesion grew, plateaued, or reduced/went away over time. Besides visual and physical exams, special lights and dyes can be used to separate healthy tissues from abnormal ones. 

Remember, oral cancer screenings at your dentist’s office don’t diagnose you with mouth cancer. A biopsy is the definitive diagnosis of oral cancer. This simple test analyses a sample of your tissue in a lab to determine if it’s cancerous or not. 

Although you can’t prevent oral cancer entirely, your dentist can detect it early. As you probably know, cancer treatment becomes costly and less effective as the cancer advances. The same isn’t different for mouth cancer. The earlier we detect oral cancer, the higher the chances of successful treatment. In perspective, the five-year survival rate is over 80% when oral cancer is detected early. In contrast, late-stage diagnosis drops the survival rate below 50% because the cancer may have already spread to other parts of the body.

Another benefit is that early-stage oral cancer often requires less aggressive treatment. This means fewer side effects, lower costs, and a faster recovery. 

Routine oral cancer screenings are essential—even if you feel fine—because mouth cancer can advance without warning signs. When was the last time you were screened for mouth cancer? If it’s over one year, call (410) 983-6775 and reserve an appointment with D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner, D.D.S. Early detection of oral cancer can be lifesaving!