Dental Health
Basking Ridge NJ 07920
phone: 908 766-1300
fax: 908 766-5604
The Oral Cancer Exam – Part of Every Adults Oral Care
The American Cancer Society recommends screening for cancer annually for all people aged 40 and older, yet many people have never had an oral cancer examination on a yearly basis from their general dentists. This exam should be part of your regular dental evaluation.
This exam consists of a visual inspection of your lips, face, neck and oral cavity to check for any visible signs of abnormalities. These include red or white areas or sores that have not healed after several weeks. Your dentist will completely examine your tongue and the floor of your mouth. He will also check the back of your throat and the base of the tongue.
Using his fingers, your dentist can check the glands under the tongue and on the sides of the neck for any abnormal swelling. If you have had any unusual symptoms in the recent past you should convey this to the dentist during your exam. If there are any unusual findings, he may want to check if the lesion changes or heals in three or four weeks and if not then a referral to an appropriate surgical specialist may be in order. Some lesions are difficult to diagnose and further follow up will be needed. The most important concept to remember with all cancers is that the earlier they are detected the greater your chances of a successful cure.
Some early pre-cancerous lesions may be successfully removed by use of a soft tissue laser while true cancers will almost always require surgery to remove them before they can spread farther. This is especially true within the oral cavity since these tissues are so vascularised.
Many people want to know what they can do to avoid getting oral cancer. Besides knowing your family history and predispositions to cancer, the best coarse of prevention is to avoid smoking and all tobacco products such as snuff and chewing tobacco. Using these products will give you about four times the risk for oral cancer verses a non-tobacco user. Also avoid excessive alcohol use which can increase your risk for oral cancer more than non-drinkers. Lastly, avoiding chronic over exposure to the sun will lessen your chances of developing cancer. The highest risks come with any combination of these factors. Remember, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis and if you have any chronic sore in your mouth or on your face bring it to the attention of your dentist or physician as soon as possible.