Oral Cancer Evaluations: Signs to Look For

Willow Glen Dental Center is proud to provide our patients with excellent dental care in San Jose, CA, and a large part of that is ensuring that they are knowledgeable about the treatment they receive in our San Jose dental office. Continue reading to learn more about oral cancer evaluations.

What is an Oral Cancer Evaluation?

An oral cancer evaluation, also known as a screening, is a thorough visual and physical examination of the entirety of the mouth in order to check for signs of oral cancer. If you have been recommended to complete an oral cancer evaluation, it is important not to immediately assume the worst. In many cases, these examinations are done as a precaution in order to ensure that the patient’s mouth is healthy or to catch signs of oral cancer before they become more serious or advanced. If you are a smoker, you are at a higher risk for developing oral cancer, so your dentist may recommend more frequent oral cancer evaluations in order to remain proactive and combat any issues that may arise.

Signs of Oral Cancer

Below is a list of signs that may indicate the presence of oral cancer in the mouth:

• A sore that does not heal or worsens over time
• White or red patches present on the gums, cheeks, tongue, or tonsils
• Trouble chewing, talking, or swallowing
• Pain in the mouth that does not subside
• A lump in the cheek or neck

Visual and Physical Evaluations

During your oral cancer evaluation, your dentist or dental hygienist will first do a visual examination of the mouth and throat. They will look for signs of discoloration, abnormal sores, or any of the conditions listed above.

The physical examination will then be done; your dental professional will touch your cheeks, jaw, and throat in order to ensure that there are no lumps or abnormal masses.

Oral Cancer Screening Device

Your dental professional may use one or more of the following devices used to conduct oral cancer screenings:

• VELscope: This device uses a blue light that illuminates suspicious tissues in the mouth and allows for the quick and accurate location of cancer growth.
• Oral CDx: This device makes use of a brush that takes a sample from the mouth to be tested for the presence of oral cancer.
• Orascoptic DK: Uses an acidic mouthwash that helps the dental professional conduct a visual inspection.

After your oral cancer evaluation is complete, your dentist or dental hygienist will inform you about their findings, and if any samples were taken, they will be sent to a laboratory for testing, and you will be notified when the results are found. If the results of your examination warrant concern, your dentist may refer you to a specialist, such as an oral surgeon, periodontist, or a medical doctor (M.D.) in order to ensure that the findings can be further investigated.

Here at Willow Glen Dental Center, our caring and professional staff is here to provide our patients with incredible dental care in San Jose, CA. We offer comprehensive oral cancer screening for all of our patients in order to ensure that we are being as proactive as possible in the care and management of their oral health. For more information about our San Jose dental office or to learn more about oral cancer evaluations, give us a call.