How Dental Screening Can Catch Early Signs of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer, mouth cancer, and other cancer cells/growths in and around the mouth can be identified by leading dentists like those at Midtown Dental. Dr. Gina Crippen, Dr. Sarah Mathai, Dr. Jenny Apekian, and their team of oral hygienists have helped patients identify oral cancers early, allowing their primary care doctors to treat oral cancer our dentists found.

Why Is Finding Oral Cancer Early Important?

Detecting oral cancer early is crucial because it can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment and survival. Oral cancer, which includes cancer of the lips, tongue, gums, floor of the mouth, the roof of the inside of your mouth, and inside of the cheeks, can spread quickly to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Early detection and treatment of oral cancer can prevent it from spreading to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or other organs in the body. When detected early, oral cancer is often treatable through surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

But if oral cancer is not diagnosed and treated at early stages, it can become more difficult to treat and may require more aggressive treatment. Late-stage oral cancer can be disfiguring and even life-threatening.

To help guard against developing oral cancer, it’s important to schedule regular dental checkups and oral cancer screenings, especially if you have any risk factors for oral cancer symptoms such as tobacco use from smoking or chewing tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, a history of oral cancer in your family, or exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV).

Midtown Dental Patients On Their Early Diagnosis

Francesca Donofrio

Francesca Donofrio, a patient at Midtown Dental, expressed her gratitude toward the dental office’s dentists and staff for “being helpful, respectful, and consistently friendly and encouraging.”

Her oral cancer was discovered during one of her routine oral hygiene appointments.

“It was frightening, unexpected (I have never smoked), painful and depressing, depending on the day,” Francesca wrote in a Midtown Dental survey response. “…I was very fortunate my cancer was diagnosed at Stage 2.”

Mike Connelly

Michael Connelly is a long-time patient of Midtown Dental who has his teeth cleaned regularly by Fernanda, one of our registered dental hygienists.

Fernanda began her work when she noticed a growth down Mike’s throat. Using a dental camera, she took a picture of a ball in his throat that was confirmed later by oncologists to be cancerous.

“Sure enough, they said it was throat cancer, and they got me set up to go through the regime of radiation and chemotherapy,” Mike said in a Q&A with Midtown Dental.

He had 35 doses of radiation over 7 weeks and then received chemotherapy three times a week, which made the Stage 3 tumor disappear.

“Thank you so much for being that concerned about your patients and the true professionalism that you show when you’re that dedicated and looking for other things,” Mike said of his treatment at Midtown Dental.

How Can You Prevent Oral Cancer?

The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society have identified several ways to help prevent mouth cancer, including regular dental checkups and oral cancer screenings can help detect any potential issues early when they are most susceptible to cancer treatment.

Avoid tobacco

Tobacco use is the single most significant risk factor for oral cancer. Whether you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, quitting or avoiding tobacco can significantly reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.

Drink alcohol in moderation

Heavy alcohol use is another significant risk factor for oral cancer. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is recommended that you do so in moderation. This means no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

Practice good oral hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings can help prevent oral cancer.

Protect your lips from the sun

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase your risk of developing lip cancer. Protect your lips by wearing a hat and using lip balm with sunscreen.

Get vaccinated against HPV

Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) can increase the risk of oral cancer. Getting vaccinated against HPV can help reduce your risk of developing the virus and associated mouth cancers too.

Eat a healthy diet

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce the risk of many types of cancer, including those that thrive in an oral cavity.

Midtown Dental’s Oral Cancer Screening Exam

The experienced dentists and staff at Midtown Dental know how to identify potentially cancerous growths inside of your mouth. As part of our comprehensive oral exams, we screen for what appears to be cancerous cells by following our proven process:

1. Medical history review: We’ll review your medical history, including any risk factors you may have for oral cancer.
2. Visual exam: We’ll visually examine your face, neck, lips, and mouth for any signs of oral cancer.
3. Physical exam: Your dentist will feel your jaw and neck for any lumps or abnormalities.
4. Additional tests: Your dentist may use additional tests to help detect oral cancer, such as a special dye that highlights abnormal cells in the mouth or a special light that can detect changes in the tissues of the mouth.

If any suspicious areas are found during the screening exam, your dentist may recommend further tests or refer you to a specialist for a biopsy or other diagnostic tests.

It is important to note that not all cases of oral cancer can be detected during a screening exam, which is why it is important to schedule regular dental checkups and report any changes or symptoms you may experience in your mouth.