Oral Cancer
An oral cancer screening is an examination of the oral cavity to identify precancerous or cancerous conditions. At KK Dental, we encourage all our patients to undergo oral cancer screening at least once a year. For particular patients who are at a higher risk for oral cancer, we recommend coming in twice a year for a screening. High-risk patients include heavy smokers, people who have a personal or family history of cancer, and anyone who has had a recent HPV diagnosis.
Regular oral cancer screenings allow you to catch cancer while it’s still in its early stages, thus increasing your chances of successful treatment.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Book an oral cancer screening appointment with KK Dental immediately if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms below:
- Difficulty when swallowing
- Unexplained bleeding
- Ulcers or painful sores in your mouth
- Pain when moving your jaw, e.g., when speaking or yawning
- Lumps in your neck and chin areas
Oral Cancer Screening at KK Dental
During your oral cancer screening appointment at KK Dental, our dentist will examine you for the symptoms mentioned above. The examination is carried out visually and also through the use of physical touch. Our dentist will use his hands to feel for any unusual lumps in your mouth, face, and neck areas. We carry out the exam in the most sanitary manner.
If our dentist deems it necessary, a special mouth rinse will be used to highlight the presence, if any, of abnormal cells in your oral cavity.
What Happens After Your Oral Cancer Screening?
There are two possible outcomes after an oral cancer screening:
- Our dentists may determine that you’re not showing any signs of oral cancer, in which case you’ll be free to go home and await your next appointment.
- Our dentist may decide that you’re showing enough signs to warrant a biopsy. In this case, a biopsy will be conducted to give you a conclusive answer. It’s only after a biopsy that a patient can receive a diagnosis, as oral cancer screenings on their own are not diagnostic.
An oral cancer screening puts your mind at ease, especially if you have a history of cancer in your family. When detected in good time, oral cancer is treatable through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Book your oral cancer screening appointment with KK Dental today to get the assurance that you deserve.
FAQs
Changes inside the mouth can sometimes develop gradually without causing pain right away. During routine dental visits, the soft tissues are examined for unusual sores, patches, swelling, or texture changes that may need closer observation or additional evaluation.
A sore, patch, lump, or irritated area that does not improve within 2 weeks should be examined by a professional. Persistent symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, unexplained bleeding, or ongoing mouth discomfort may also require further evaluation to identify the underlying cause.
Yes, although tobacco use increases risk, oral cancer can also develop in people without a history of smoking. Additional factors, including alcohol consumption, HPV infection, aging, sun exposure, and overall health status, can also play a role in risk development.
The screening involves examining the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, throat, and surrounding tissues for unusual color changes, sores, swelling, or abnormal tissue texture. The jaw and neck area may also be checked for enlarged lymph nodes or unusual lumps.
Many oral cancer screenings are performed during routine dental examinations as part of preventive oral health care. Screening frequency may vary depending on age, health history, tobacco use, and other individual risk factors identified during the evaluation.
An oral cancer screening helps identify areas that appear abnormal, but it does not, by itself, confirm a cancer diagnosis. If suspicious tissue changes are found, further evaluation may involve additional testing or referral to a specialist.
Some oral tissue changes may become more difficult to treat if they remain untreated for a long time. Early evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are related to irritation, infection, noncancerous conditions, or tissue changes needing closer medical attention.
Some screenings involve only a visual and physical examination, while others may include additional screening tools depending on the clinical findings. The type of evaluation performed depends on oral health history, symptoms, and examination results.
Yes, poorly fitting dentures, rough teeth, or chronic irritation may sometimes cause sores or tissue changes inside the mouth. Although many of these conditions are not cancerous, persistent irritation should still be evaluated during a dental examination.
A screening may be recommended if you notice persistent mouth sores, tissue changes, swallowing discomfort, or unexplained irritation that does not improve. At KK Dental, screenings are performed as part of a detailed oral examination focused on preventive care and early evaluation.
