Oral cancer is a severe dental condition that can develop without displaying any symptoms until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Therefore, being screened for oral cancer is vital. This is why we make oral cancer screening compulsory during your routine dental checkups at Lowery Smiles.

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What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

  • Non-healing, constantly bleeding mouth sores
  • Pain or difficulty when chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the tongue or jaw
  • Mouth, jaw, or ear pain
  • White or red spots in the oral cavity
  • Lumps, rough spots, or growth inside the throat or mouth
  • Inflammation, pain, or numbness in the mouth or the lips

Who Is at High Risk for Oral Cancer?

Here are some significant risk factors that can cause oral cancer:

  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Using tobacco
  • Family history

Other risk factors include the following:

  • Gender

Studies have found that men are two times more likely to have oral cancer than women. This could be because of increased alcohol and tobacco use in men.

  • Poor Diet

Poor nutrition and consumption of low quantities of vegetables and fruits play an important role in oral cancer.

  • Obesity

Overweight people are at an increased risk of developing oral cancer.

  • Aging

Patients above the age of 50 are more likely to develop oral cancer.

  • Sunlight Exposure

Overexposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of lip cancer.

  • Genetic Factors

Genetics plays a big role in increasing one’s probability of getting oral cancer.

  • Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene and resulting dental conditions may also cause oral cancer if they are left without treatment to develop to advanced stages.

What Happens During Oral Cancer Screening?

At Lowery Smiles, oral cancer screening involves a few steps. First, our dentist will ask the patient a couple of questions regarding any changes they may have observed in their oral health, like lumps, patches, new spots, or pain in the mouth.

As the subsequent step, a thorough physical exam of the patient’s face, mouth, neck, and throat is done to look for any noticeable signs such as bumps, spots, color changes, or any other abnormalities in the mouth. We will also obtain an X-ray of the patient’s mouth to study the areas that are not visible to the naked eye.

If we detect any unusual changes, a biopsy will be recommended.

Lowery Smiles, located in Cary, NC, has expert dentists and the latest amenities for treatment. Call Dentist in Cary, NC at (919) 468-5501 and schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Cancer Screening

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

Symptoms may include non-healing mouth sores, bleeding, pain or difficulty when chewing, swallowing, or speaking, lumps or growths inside the mouth or throat, white or red spots in the oral cavity, and inflammation or numbness in the lips or mouth. For more about oral health and checkups, visit our Dental Cleanings and Exams page.

Who is at high risk for oral cancer?

High-risk factors include heavy alcohol use, tobacco use, family history, age over 50, poor diet, obesity, sun exposure, and poor oral hygiene. Learn more about our preventive dental services on the Preventive Dentistry page.

How does gender affect oral cancer risk?

Men are approximately twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer, possibly due to higher alcohol and tobacco use. Maintaining regular checkups can help early detection. Check the Meet Our Doctor page to see our dental specialists.

What happens during an oral cancer screening?

Screening involves reviewing changes in oral health, conducting a thorough physical exam of the face, mouth, neck, and throat, and sometimes taking X-rays to inspect areas not visible to the eye. If needed, a biopsy may be recommended. See more about our diagnostic technology on the Digital X-Rays page.

Why is oral cancer screening important?

Oral cancer can progress without symptoms until advanced stages. Early detection through regular screenings improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Learn more about our comprehensive dental services on the Services page.