The Power of Prevention: Why Oral Cancer Screenings Matter

When you think of a dental visit, you probably picture a cleaning, a check for cavities, and maybe a reminder to floss more often. But there's something even more critical happening during your dental appointment that often goes unnoticed — an oral cancer screening.

Oral cancer can affect anyone, regardless of lifestyle, age, or health history. Each year, tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, and other parts of the oral cavity. The good news? When caught early, oral cancer is highly treatable. That’s where routine screenings by your dental hygienist and dentist come in.

What Is an Oral Cancer Screening? An oral cancer screening is a simple, painless examination of your mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues. Your dental professional looks for any abnormalities, such as red or white patches, unusual lumps, sores that don’t heal, or changes in texture. In some cases, they may use special lights or rinses to help detect areas of concern that aren't visible to the naked eye. You can even do this at home.

Who Should Get Screened? Everyone. Although certain factors like tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, HPV infection, and excessive sun exposure increase your risk, oral

cancer can develop in individuals with no known risk factors. That’s why regular screenings are important for every patient, not just those considered high-risk.

Why Early Detection Saves Lives Oral cancer often doesn’t cause pain or obvious symptoms in its early stages. Many people don’t realize anything is wrong until the cancer has advanced. Early detection through routine dental screenings can mean simpler, less invasive treatment and a much better chance of survival.

How Often Should You Be Screened? Most dental professionals perform a basic oral cancer screening during your routine cleaning visits. If you’re at higher risk, your provider may recommend more frequent checks or additional testing.

Take Charge of Your Health at your next dental visit, don’t hesitate to ask about an oral cancer screening. It takes only a few minutes but could make a lifetime of difference. Being proactive about your health, knowing the risk factors, and recognizing early warning signs empowers you to stay one step ahead.

Your smile is important — and so is your life. Let's work together to keep both healthy and strong.