Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening

During a routine dental visit, your dentist might perform an oral cancer screening. It is always best to detect oral cancer early to give the best chance for a cure. Through the screening, your orthodontist will search for white or red patches or mouth sores.

Lots of people have abnormal-looking sores in their mouths which are normally noncancerous. The oral screening doesn’t tell you if the sore is cancerous; however, a biopsy will be necessary to determine the outcome of any unusual sore.

Which patients should consider an oral cancer screening?

Those patients with a high risk of mouth cancer would most likely benefit from oral cancer screening. The factors that could increase the risk of oral cancer can include:

• Excessive alcohol use
• Smoking of any kind – including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, amongst others
• Prior oral cancer diagnosis.

Your own dentist will be aware of whether an oral cancer screening is necessary for you. They will also discuss ways of reducing your oral cancer risk, such as avoiding alcohol or quitting smoking.