Oral Cancer Screening

For all patients receiving a dental checkup, an oral cancer exam is completed. Most of the time, a dentist can sport symptoms much earlier than a patient can, as there are signs a dentist looks for, some of which may not be noticeable to a patient. Your dentist will examine the skin on your lips and the inside of your mouth for signs of oral cancer. The exam itself is painless and takes only a few minutes to complete.
Signs of Oral Cancer
  • Lumps in and around your mouth
  • Change in texture on mouth or tongue
  • Bleeding, numbness, or sores that don’t heal
  •  White or dark red patches in your mouth or on your lips
Risk Factors
  • Smoking
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Prolonged and repeated exposure of lips to sunlight
  • Genetics
  • Poor diet
There are a number of other diseases that can affect the mouth, gums, and teeth, and while they may not be as threatening as oral cancer, they can be extremely uncomfortable. Treatments for some of these other diseases are usually quite simple:
  • Hairy Tongue | The tongue appears hairy and discoloured due to an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast. Usually caused by poor oral hygiene, diet, antibiotics, or radiation treatments. Treatment for hairy tongue includes mouthwashes and antibiotics. 
  • Cyst | A small fluid-filled sac that appears near the skin surface. Depending on size and location within the mouth, cysts may cause pain or difficulties with breathing, speech, swallowing, and chewing. Cysts can be removed surgically and are usually a relatively simple procedure.
  • Geographic tongue |The tongue appears patchy with red rash-like areas that may be sensitive. It is harmless and seldom requires treatment. In rare cases where sensitivity is extreme, topical anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Please be aware, this disease can come and go.
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