Oral Cancer Screening

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we encourage you to schedule an oral cancer screening today. If you have not yet taken this life-saving measure, you should.

Oral cancer is a disease not frequently discussed. There are few, if any, advertising campaigns, walks, or fundraisers supporting oral cancer research and treatment. Still, oral cancer claims one life every day in the United States. The reason for such a high mortality rate is that most people do not seek medical help until the cancer is advanced.

As with all forms of cancer, early detection and treatment are critical to a successful cure. Therefore, the sooner you know you are at risk for oral cancer or you see signs of it, the better your chances are of beating it.

Is it common to have an oral cancer screening?

Unfortunately, no. Most people never have an oral cancer screening, and this is why the cancer is not detected early. At our Coral Gables, FL dental practice, we suggest you visit us for an oral cancer screening right away if you have never received one. Otherwise, you can generally have this done every six months with your routine dental checkup. If you live in or near the Coral Gables area, call (305) 614-2438 to schedule an appointment with our office.

What does an oral cancer screening entail?

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we will look for signs of abnormal tissue. Typically, we will see signs like red and white bumps, hard lumps, rough patches, or changes in the position of your teeth. Much of the screening is done visually. However, we will also feel your cheeks and the inside of your mouth while wearing gloves to identify whether you have any strange or hard lumps.

Remember, oral cancer can impact all areas of the mouth, so the examination must be thorough. Since technology is constantly improving, we may use other testing resources when you come in and will be happy to discuss the process with you when you visit our dental office. We guarantee that the test is gentle and painless.

How frequently should I have an oral cancer screening?

We recommend that you visit our Coral Gables, FL dentist office for your first exam. Based on your risk factors and what we see, we will let you know how frequently you need an examination. If you are a high-risk patient, we may suggest annual screenings.

Who is susceptible to oral cancer?

The common misconception is that only older men get oral cancer. It used to be that men got oral cancer at a 10:1 ratio to women. Over time, the statistics have changed, most likely because the habits of men and women are now more similar. With more women drinking alcohol and smoking, the published ratios are now 2:1.

Recently, medical research has shown that some strains of the HPV also cause oral cancer, which has changed the way we look at it and who we need to screen. HPV can be contracted as early as the teenage years, meaning that men and women, seniors and teens, could contract this terrible disease. We recommend that all adults be screened for oral cancer. However, if you smoke, drink alcohol, or know you have HPV, you should be particularly diligent about doing so.

Do you treat oral cancer?

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we do not treat oral cancer. We help to diagnose it. When it comes to any cancer, early detection is critical and can save your life.

Since we are the most familiar with how your mouth looks normally, we are prepared to identify any abnormalities. If we see anything that looks like pre-cancer or cancer, we may biopsy the spot. In some cases, we may refer you directly to an oncologist in the Coral Gables area so they can perform further tests and then discuss treatment options with you.

When to call us

You are the first line of defense when it comes to catching oral cancer. We recommend that you spend a few seconds examining your mouth after brushing your teeth. All you need to do is run your tongue along your cheeks, gums, and the roof of your mouth. If you notice any rough patches, lumps, or bumps, make a note of it. Do the same thing a few days later. If what you felt was the result of being sick or eating food that was too abrasive, it should go away after a few days. When it does not, call our office for an oral cancer screening and examination. The other thing to watch for is teeth that move for no particular reason. If any teeth are pushed out of place, something must be pushing them. Occasionally, that something is cancer.

How can I prevent oral cancer?

The most important thing you can do to lower your risk is to stop chewing smokeless tobacco products. Chewing tobacco is the biggest risk factor for developing oral cancer. While it is better for your lungs than smoking cigarettes, it can increase your risk for oral cancer by 60 times.

You should also stop smoking all tobacco products and limit how much alcohol you drink. It does not appear that alcohol in limited quantities is dangerous, but if you drink regularly or binge drink, you are at a greater risk. You also need to limit sun exposure and prevent sunburns whenever possible. As for HPV, you should speak with your general physician to find out if you are a candidate for the vaccine. You may also want to be tested to find out if you already have the virus.

Dental Terminology

Biopsy

A medical test to extract a sample of tissue to determine the exact cause of a disease.

Dental Checkup

An appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection, and then at least once every six months.

Dental Prophylaxis

A professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from the teeth.

Dentist

A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.

Dysphagia

Difficulty or discomfort when swallowing due to oral cancer.

Gingivitis

The inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth, and poor oral hygiene.

Oral Cavity

The term oral cavity is another name for the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, teeth, the front of the tongue, and the roof of the mouth.

Oral Mucosa

The mucous membrane that lines the inside of the mouth, consisting of oral epithelium and lamina propria.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A common form of oral cancer that occurs within the mouth and can also result from excessive smoking and alcohol use.

Otalgia

A type of earache that can result from multiple causes, including oral health issues and infections.

Precancerous Lesions

Morphologically altered tissue that has a high probability of becoming cancerous.

Preventive Dentistry

The dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar, and infections in the mouth.

Tartar

A hard substance that forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies.

Call Us Today

Regular oral cancer screenings can save your life. If you live in Coral Gables, FL, we encourage you to call (305) 614-2438 and schedule an appointment with our dental office today.

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