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Oral Cancer Screening
Part of good preventive dentistry is to check for signs of oral cancer. This should be a regular part of your healthcare, just as you get screened for other types of cancer throughout the body.
Our dentist at Creekside Family Dental can check for this form of cancer during your dental hygiene/exam visits.
How an Oral Cancer Screening Works
It’s easy to receive an oral cancer screening through your dentist’s office. This process takes place automatically during your regular exams and cleanings.
When our dentist is checking your overall oral health during your exam, he also checks for early signs of oral cancer. In addition, he checks for precancerous conditions in the mouth that should be addressed to reduce the risk of oral cancer. At our office, we believe in being transparent about any concerns we have and fully involving you in decision-making about your dental care.
If signs of cancer or precancerous conditions are present during this initial screening, Dr. Leffler may recommend additional screening. Testing helps to confirm whether or not certain signs indicate cancer. If not, we can work to determine whether the signs indicate a different problem and keep an eye on any changes over time.
Why Oral Cancer Screenings Are Important
Screening for oral cancer is one of the reasons why it is so important to visit the dentist for checkups every six months. Through regular screenings, we are better able to catch signs of oral cancer early, which improves treatment options and survival rates. During early stages, it is easier to treat the problem by removing cancer cells or precancerous lesions.
What the Dentist Looks For During Screenings
Dr. Leffler has the expertise to check your mouth for signs of oral cancer, which is also called oral cavity cancer or mouth cancer. During your exam, he looks at various parts of your mouth, including your teeth, tongue, inner mouth and lips. He checks for signs like red or white patches, lumps, growths, continuous sores and loose teeth.
Nonetheless, not all signs of oral cancer are ones a dentist can see or feel during an exam. Other symptoms include pain in the mouth and ears, having difficulty swallowing and coughing. Share any symptoms you have been experiencing during your exam. Our dentist can more accurately make a diagnosis of a problem by having both your information and physical signs he notices during an exam.
Can I Reduce My Oral Cancer Risk?
You can take steps to lower your oral cancer risk by focusing on your lifestyle. Tobacco use and excess alcohol use are both associated with this type of cancer, so stopping or cutting back reduces risk. Too much sun exposure also increases risk.
Nonetheless, some people have a higher risk regardless of lifestyle choices. These include people who have a medical history of oral cancer or human papillomavirus (HPV).
Our dentist checks for signs of oral cancer in all patients. Nonetheless, let him know if you may have a higher risk.
Make Your Exam Appointment
You receive cancer screening as part of your regular exam and cleaning visit. If you do not have one scheduled with us already, contact our Gahanna, OH office to set up your next visit.
Contact us to schedule your appointment.
Oral Cancer Screening FAQ
Oral cancer screenings are a simple, painless part of your regular dental visit, but they can make a real difference in catching problems early. At Creekside Dental in Gahanna, OH, Dr. Will Leffle checks for signs of oral cancer at every hygiene exam. Here are answers to some common questions about this important part of preventive care.
Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and the roof or floor of the mouth. It can also affect the throat. Like other cancers, it happens when cells in these areas grow abnormally, and it’s much easier to treat when caught early.
Tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and excess sun exposure on the lips all raise your risk. HPV exposure and a personal or family history of oral cancer can also increase your chances of developing it. That said, Dr. Leffler screens every patient at every exam, since oral cancer can affect people without these risk factors, too.
Common signs include red or white patches in the mouth, sores that don’t heal, unusual lumps, and loose teeth without an obvious cause. Some patients also notice ongoing pain, trouble swallowing, or a persistent cough. If you notice any of these changes between visits, let our office know right away.
Avoiding tobacco products, limiting alcohol intake, using SPF-rated lip balm, and eating a balanced diet all help lower your risk. Regular dental visits also play a key role, since early detection through routine screening greatly improves outcomes. Being open with Dr. Leffler about any symptoms you notice helps him catch potential concerns sooner.
Yes, especially when caught early. Treatment often involves removing cancerous or precancerous cells, and options expand the sooner a concern is identified. This is why routine screenings matter so much; they give Dr. Leffler the chance to spot changes before they become more serious.
Screenings happen automatically during your regular cleaning and exam, so there’s nothing extra to schedule. Dr. Leffler examines your lips, tongue, cheeks, and mouth for any unusual changes. If anything looks concerning, he’ll walk you through next steps and any testing that may help confirm a diagnosis.
No. An oral cancer screening is quick, non-invasive, and completely painless. Dr. Leffler simply examines the soft tissues of your mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and throat for any unusual changes. The screening takes only a few minutes and is included as part of your routine dental exam.
Most adults should have an oral cancer screening at every routine dental exam, typically every six months. Patients with higher risk factors, such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, or a history of oral cancer, may benefit from more frequent evaluations based on Dr. Leffler’s recommendations.
Ready for your next checkup? Contact Creekside Dental to schedule your appointment today.
