Oral cancer isn’t as common as breast or prostate cancer, but nearly 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with it each year. Learning you have oral cancer can be scary, but the good news is that when caught early, the prognosis is generally good.
At the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry in Beverly Hills, California, Dr. Ramin Mahallati and our team provide oral cancer screening to adults. This blog defines oral cancer, explains why early detection matters, and walks through what the screening process involves.
Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is a disease that causes cells in the following areas to grow and multiply uncontrollably:
It’s categorized with other head and neck cancers and affects hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year.
Oral cancer is like other cancers in that it’s categorized into stages. Stage one oral cancer is less serious and easier to treat than stage three or four oral cancer.
Because cancer often progresses to higher stages over time, prompt diagnosis can help prevent the problem from worsening and lower your risk of serious complications.
Late-stage diagnosis often requires more aggressive treatment, so identifying the issue early can minimize the need for surgery and improve your quality of life.
An oral cancer screening is a noninvasive, preventive dentistry exam that takes five minutes or less. It’s completely painless and doesn’t require any special preparation.
During the exam, we examine your:
We look for signs of oral cancer, such as non-healing sores, red or white patches, and abnormal lumps.
If we notice anything unusual, we may also gently press on your jaw, neck, or lymph nodes, or complete diagnostic imaging, such as dental X-rays or a CT scan. Sometimes a tissue sample is necessary, which we send to a lab for additional testing.
We typically complete oral cancer screening as part of routine dental exams. However, if it’s been a while since your last checkup, you may benefit from oral cancer screening, especially if you:
Research shows that HPV is responsible for nearly 70% of all oral cancers.
If it’s been more than a year since your last dental checkup, now is the perfect time to request one, alongside an oral cancer screening. The process is quick and painless and could be life-saving.
Contact the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mahallati at our office in Beverly Hills.
