Oral Cancer Exams

Oral Cancer Exam in Newburgh, IN

At Newburgh Family Dental, we include a thorough oral cancer exam in Newburgh, IN as part of every comprehensive dental visit. Early detection is the single most important factor in successfully treating oral cancer. Furthermore, because oral cancer can develop quickly and spread to other areas of the body, regular screenings are essential for every patient — not just those considered high risk. Therefore, we encourage all of our patients to keep their scheduled checkups with Dr. Perkins every six months.

What Is an Oral Cancer Exam?

An oral cancer exam is a quick, painless, and non-invasive screening performed by Dr. Perkins during your routine dental visit. Because oral cancer can appear anywhere in the mouth or throat, the exam covers a comprehensive range of areas. Specifically, Dr. Perkins carefully examines the following for any signs of abnormality:

• Tongue — top, bottom, and sides
• Throat and tonsils
• Lips and corners of the mouth
• Gums and the roof of the mouth
• Floor of the mouth
• Cheeks and inner soft tissues
• Neck and lymph nodes
• Face and jaw

The entire screening takes just a few minutes and is included as part of your regular dental exam at no additional cost.

Why Is Oral Cancer Screening Important?

Oral cancer is more common than many people realize. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers every year. Unfortunately, many cases are not detected until they have reached an advanced stage — which is why the survival rate for oral cancer remains lower than many other cancers. However, when oral cancer is caught early, the survival rate improves dramatically. As a result, routine oral cancer exams are one of the most important preventive measures we can offer our patients.

Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?

While oral cancer can affect anyone, certain factors increase the risk. Therefore, it is especially important for patients with any of the following risk factors to attend regular screenings:

• Tobacco use of any kind — cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, or snuff
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Excessive sun exposure to the lips
• A previous diagnosis of oral cancer
• A family history of cancer
• Infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV)

That said, a significant number of oral cancer cases occur in patients with no known risk factors at all. Consequently, we screen every patient regardless of their risk level.

What Are the Warning Signs of Oral Cancer?

In addition to professional screenings, patients should be aware of the following warning signs and contact our office promptly if they notice any of them:

• A sore in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks
• A red or white patch anywhere in the mouth
• A lump, thickening, or rough spot in the mouth or throat
• Unexplained numbness or pain in the mouth, face, or neck
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue
• A persistent sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, do not wait for your next scheduled visit. Contact us as soon as possible so Dr. Perkins can evaluate the area promptly.