1: How often should I have an oral cancer screening?

We recommend oral cancer screening at every dental check-up, usually twice a year, but we may screen more often if you have risk factors.

2: What happens during an oral cancer screening visit?

Your dentist visually and manually examines your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat for unusual patches, sores, lumps, or color changes. The process is quick and painless.

3: Can I feel anything during the screening?

You may feel light pressure as your dentist examines your mouth, but the screening itself should not cause pain.

4: What are the common signs of oral cancer I should watch for at home?

Watch for persistent mouth sores, red or white patches, lumps, unexplained bleeding, difficulty swallowing, or numbness. Report any changes that last more than two weeks.

5: How long does an oral cancer screening take?

The screening process takes just a few minutes and is part of your routine dental examination.

6: Can oral cancer develop without noticeable symptoms?

Yes. Oral cancer can develop silently in early stages, which is why routine screenings are important even if you feel fine.

Oral Cancer Screening

Our office is not only dedicated to your smile, we're also dedicated to your overall wellness. We take a holistic approach to your dental care, which includes an oral cancer screening as a part of your regular exam. Like many kinds of cancer, oral cancer can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

We have the skills and tools to ensure that early signs and symptoms of oral cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. While these symptoms may be caused by other, less serious problems, it is very important to visit our office to rule out the possibility of oral cancer. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:

Red or white spots or sores anywhere in the oral cavity
A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
A lump, thickening, or rough spot
Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue

Our team is trained in a simple, quick screening that involves an examination of your oral cavity as a whole, and not just your teeth, to detect cancerous and precancerous conditions. Besides a visual examination of your mouth, we will also feel the tissue of your mouth and throat to detect any abnormalities. If we find an area of concern, we may perform a simple test, such as a brush test, which collects cells from a suspicious lesion in the mouth to be sent to a laboratory for analysis. If this test comes back atypical or positive, we may recommend a biopsy.

I grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended Marquette University’s School of Dentistry. There I obtained my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 2000 and have been in practice since graduation.

Aside from receiving an oral cancer screening during your checkup at our office, there are many things you can do to help prevent oral cancer.

The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid all tobacco products and only drink alcohol in moderation.
Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
Limit your exposure to the sun and always wear UV-A/B-blocking, sun-protective lotions on your skin as well as your lips.
During your next dental appointment, ask your dentist in Green Bay to perform an oral exam. Early detection of oral cancer can improve the chance of successful treatment.

Oral Cancer Screening

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