Oral Cancer Screening

Durango, CO

Is it common to have an oral cancer screening?

Unfortunately, no. Most people never have an oral cancer screening, and this is why the cancer is not detected at an early stage. At our Durango, CO dental practice, we suggest that you visit us for a screening right away if you have never received one. Otherwise, you can generally have this done bi-annually. If you live in or near the Durango area, call (970) 259-1646 to schedule an appointment with our office.

What does an oral cancer screening entail?

At Durango Dentistry, we will look for signs of abnormal tissue. Typically, we will see visible symptoms like red and white bumps, hard lumps, rough patches, or changes in the position of your teeth. Much of the screening is done visually. However, we will also feel your cheeks and the inside of your mouth while wearing gloves. This is to identify whether or not you have any strange or hard lumps within this tissue. Remember, oral cancer can impact all areas of the mouth, so the examination must be thorough. Since technology is constantly improving, we may use other testing resources when you come in and will be happy to discuss the process with you when you visit our dental office. We guarantee that the test is gentle and that you should feel comfortable during it.

How frequently should I have an oral cancer screening?

We recommend that you visit our Durango, CO dentist office for your first exam. Based on your risk factors and what we see, we will let you know how frequently you need an examination. If you are a high-risk patient, we may suggest annual screenings.

Who is susceptible to getting oral cancer?

The common misconception is that only older men get oral cancer. It used to be that men got oral cancer at a 10:1 ratio to women. Over time, the statistics have changed, most likely because the habits of men and women are now more similar. With more women drinking alcohol and smoking, the published ratios are now 2:1. Recently, medical research has proven that some strains of the HPV virus also cause oral cancer. This has changed the way we look at this cancer and who we need to screen for it. The HPV virus can be contracted as early as the teenage years, meaning that both men and women, seniors and teens, could come down with this terrible disease. We recommend that all adults be screened for oral cancer. However, if you smoke, drink alcohol, or know you have the HPV virus, you should be particularly diligent about doing so.

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

On any of the surfaces of the oral cavity, if there is a sore or irritation that does not seem to go away, then this is an indication that oral cancer may be forming. If there are any red or white patches on these areas of the mouth and oral cavity then this also might be a sign of oral cancer beginning to form. 

If someone is experiencing any pain, tenderness or numbness on or around the mouth or lips, this is another common symptom of the formation of oral cancer along with a lump or thickening of certain areas in the mouth.

If someone is experiencing any difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking when moving their tongue or their jaw this can be an indicator of oral cancer. Lastly, another symptom is if someone notices a sudden change in the way their teeth seem to fit together when closing their mouth.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The earlier oral cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat. Unfortunately, many of the early symptoms can go unnoticed. This causes the cancer to worsen before treatment is administered. The following are four of the more common oral cancer symptoms to be mindful of and check for as a part of preventive dentistry:

Mouth sore

Many experience mouth sores and it obviously does not mean that the individual has oral cancer. However, if a mouth sore that does not go away or improve over time, then that could be an indication that oral cancer is present. This is especially true if the mouth sore causes a fair amount of discomfort.

A mouth sore is not necessarily something to panic over. But, it could be an indication of oral cancer. Preventive dentistry suggests having the symptoms examined by a dentist.

Difficulty swallowing

Difficulty swallowing is a common symptom among patients with oral cancer. It is a real cause for concern if difficulty swallowing that cannot be explained exists. Difficulty swallowing is not the same thing as a sore throat. It can be helpful to know the differences between the two.

Whenever difficulty swallowing exists, especially if other oral cancer symptoms exist along with it, then it is encouraged to visit a preventive dentistry office as soon as possible.

Facial pain

Oral cancer can lead to a fair amount of face and neck pain. Most commonly, patients with oral cancer report feeling jaw discomfort, jaw swelling, teeth pain and discomfort and neck complications. If facial pain does not go away over the course of a week or two and other oral cancer symptoms are also present, then be sure to visit the dentist for treatment. This is to ensure the issue is properly diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

Jaw complications

Along with jaw pain, other jaw complications often exist with oral cancer patients. Oral cancer can cause the jaw to become swollen. This can result in the improper fitting of artificial teeth, loose natural teeth or a malocclusion that did not previously exist. While in some instances the pain can be intolerable and cause the person to not function well during the day, some cases of jaw pain caused by oral cancer can be more subtle.

Anytime jaw complications exist and cannot be explained for any other reason, then a visit to a preventive dentistry office is encouraged.

How can I prevent oral cancer?

The most important thing you can do for decreasing your risk is to stop chewing smokeless tobacco products. This is the biggest historical risk for developing oral cancer. While it is better for your lungs than smoking cigarettes, it can increase your risk for oral cancer by 60 times! You should also stop smoking all tobacco products and limit how much alcohol you drink. It does not appear that alcohol in limited quantities is dangerous, but if you drink regularly or binge drink, you are at a greater risk. You also need to limit your sun exposure and prevent sunburns whenever possible. As for the HPV virus, you should speak with your general physician to find out if you are a candidate for the vaccine. You may also want to be tested to find out if you already have the virus.

When to call us:

You can be the first line of defense when it comes to catching oral cancer. We recommend that you spend a few seconds examining your mouth after brushing your teeth. All you need to do is run your tongue along your cheeks, gums, and the roof of your mouth. If you notice any rough patches, lumps or bumps, make note of it. Do the same thing a few days later. If what you felt was the result of being sick or eating food that was too abrasive, it should go away after a few days. When it doesn't, you need to call our office for an oral cancer screening and examination. The other thing to watch for is teeth that move for no particular reason. If they are pushed out of place, something must have been pushing them. Occasionally, that something is cancer.

Can a dentist detect oral cancer?

The most common question that we receive at our dental office from patients that are concerned about oral cancer is if dentists are the best type of doctor to detect oral cancer. In short, the answer is yes. Because dentists have the most knowledge of the oral cavity, they are equipped and trained to see the signs and symptoms of oral cancer.

The best time that this happens is during a person's bi-annual cleaning and check-up. During this time a dentist will always ask about any changes in your medical history and if you happen to have noticed any unusual symptoms of oral cancer. After this quick follow-up, the dentist will begin their exam of a person’s oral cavity to detect any possible trouble spots. This will include your lips, tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth.

Do you treat oral cancer?

No, at Durango Dentistry, we do not treat oral cancer. We help to catch it. When it comes to cancer, early detection is of critical importance. It can literally save your life. Since we are the most familiar with how your mouth looks normally, we are prepared to identify any abnormalities. If we see anything that looks like pre-cancer or cancer, we will may perform a biopsy. This is where a portion of the tissue is taken from your mouth for further testing. In some cases, we may refer you directly to an oncologist in the Durango area so they can perform further tests and then discuss treatment options with you.