Oral Cancer Screenings

More About the Visual Oral Cancer Examination

If you have any removables, you will need to take them out prior to your oral cancer screening to ensure your dentist is able to examine your mouth entirely. During the visual examination, your dentist will inspect your neck, face, lips, cheeks, jaw, and possibly the inside of your nose. Your dentist is looking for patches of color, swellings, asymmetries, ulcerations, or other abnormalities.

A visual oral cancer examination is typically performed with a mirror and a light. A tongue depressor may be used to assist in holding your tongue down.

More About the Physical Oral Cancer Examination

Following the visual examination, your dentist will perform a physical exam. They will touch your neck, face, and mouth to check for any masses, unusual nodules, or other abnormalities. This part of the examination allows them to find concerns undetectable by sight. Oral cancer is typically painless in the earliest stages, though on occasion some early symptoms may include pain.

Your dentist may use a range of specialist devices to assist in your oral screening. These devices could include:

• An oral brush biopsy, involving the removal of cells for further testing.
• A mouth rinse to assist in visual inspection of the mouth tissues.
• An advanced oral assessment tool to help further inspect any suspect oral tissues through the use of a fluorescent light.

Oral cancer screenings are another reason routine hygiene appointments are so important. These precautionary exams can help to identify oral cancer in its earliest stages- and early detection is critical.