Oral cancer screening is a quick, painless part of every dental exam at Andover Family Dentistry in Andover, KS. Dr. Howell carefully examines your mouth, throat, tongue, and surrounding tissues for early warning signs of oral cancer.
When detected early, oral cancer is highly treatable. Regular screenings can catch abnormalities before they become serious, giving you the best chance for successful treatment and recovery.
What We Look For
During your oral cancer screening, Dr. Howell examines your entire mouth and surrounding areas for signs of abnormal tissue, lesions, discoloration, or growths.
We check:
- Lips, inside of the cheeks, and gums
- Tongue and floor of the mouth
- Roof of the mouth and throat
- Lymph nodes in the neck
- Any unusual lumps, sores, or texture changes
The screening takes just a few minutes and is completely painless. Most patients don’t even realize it’s happening as part of their routine exam.
Recognizing Risk Factors
Certain factors increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Understanding your risk helps us tailor your screening and provide appropriate recommendations.
Risk factors include:
- Tobacco use in any form
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- HPV infection
- Excessive sun exposure to the lips
- Age over 40
- Family history of cancer
Even if you don’t have any risk factors, oral cancer can still occur. That’s why we screen every patient at every exam.
Warning Signs To Watch For
Between dental visits, be aware of changes in your mouth that could signal a problem.
Contact us if you notice:
- Sores or ulcers that don’t heal within two weeks
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- Lumps or thickening of tissue
- Persistent hoarseness or sore throat
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving your jaw
- Numbness in your mouth or tongue
Early detection is critical. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait until your next scheduled appointment.
Why Routine Screenings Matter
Oral cancer often develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages. By the time you notice something wrong, the cancer may have already progressed.
Regular screenings catch abnormalities when they’re small and easier to treat. Early-stage oral cancer has a much higher survival rate than cancer detected in later stages.
Screening is part of every routine exam at no additional cost. It’s one of the most important preventive services we provide.
How Often You Should Be Screened
We recommend oral cancer screenings at every dental exam, typically every six months. If you have risk factors like tobacco use or a history of oral cancer, more frequent screenings may be appropriate.
Consistent screening gives us the opportunity to catch changes early and monitor any areas of concern over time.
Education & Awareness
Part of our role is helping you understand your oral health and recognize potential problems. We’ll educate you about risk factors, warning signs, and steps you can take to reduce your risk of oral cancer.
Quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, practicing safe sun exposure, and maintaining good oral hygiene all contribute to lowering your risk.
What Happens If We Find Something
If Dr. Howell identifies an area of concern during your screening, we’ll discuss the findings with you and recommend next steps. This might include monitoring the area over time, performing additional imaging, or referring you to a specialist for further evaluation and biopsy.
Finding something abnormal doesn’t automatically mean cancer. Many oral lesions are benign. However, any suspicious finding requires proper evaluation to rule out serious conditions.
We’ll coordinate your care and ensure you receive the follow-up you need promptly.
Protect Your Health With Routine Screenings
At Andover Family Dentistry, oral cancer screening is a standard part of the comprehensive care we provide. Dr. Howell and our team are committed to catching problems early and helping you maintain optimal oral health.
Call our Andover, KS office or book online to schedule your exam. Regular screenings could save your life.