Regular dental exams aren’t just essential to maintain a healthy smile; they’re also a precautionary measure to check for oral cancer. Screenings are both reassuring and informative to see how your oral health is doing, especially for those who are at higher risk of developing cancer. Learn more about when you should schedule a screening and what to expect when you’re at the dentist.

Who Should Be Screened?

It’s a good idea to get checked for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer if you partake in high-risk activities. Long-term smokers and oral tobacco users often have weakened immune systems because tobacco is made with dangerous chemicals that cause your cells to mutate and turn cancerous. Drinking large amounts of alcohol also leaves you vulnerable to cancers by producing harmful bacteria and chemicals that damage your mouth’s cells and DNA. Exposure to too much sun, a poor diet, and transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) are also vulnerable to cancerous growths in the throat, gums, cheeks, esophagus, and inner lips.

What Can You Expect During a Screening?

A basic cancer screening starts off with a thorough examination of your mouth using a mirror, light source, and tongue depressor. Your dentist will look for lumps and spots inside your cheeks, around and underneath your tongue, the roof of your mouth, the back of your throat, and around your gums and lips. They may also feel around your lymph nodes for swelling and discomfort or request a toluidine blue dye rinse to identify abnormal cell growth.

Your dentist will request a follow-up appointment if they spot anything unusual during your dental exam. The second check-up includes a biopsy of the area of concern. This sample tissue will then be taken to a lab to be examined for cancerous cells.

Request a dental exam at New Horizons Dental LLC in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, if you’re concerned about your oral health. The ADA-approved practice goes out of their way to cultivate long-lasting relationships with their patients by providing services like thorough oral cancer screenings, cleanings, and treatment plans. To request an appointment, call (715) 424-7810 or visit their website.