Our dentist at Richmond Dental Care performs a visual oral cancer test on every patient who visits us for a comprehensive dental exam or professional tooth cleaning. Why is this such an important element to our total patient care? The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) reports that more than 3,000 new cases of this type of cancer are identified each year in Canada, and over 1,000 deaths occurred due to it.
We Care About a Patient’s Total Health
Because our dentists care as much about a patient’s total health and well-being, oral cancer screening is a part of every exam and professional cleaning that we perform since, like most cancers, it’s not easily detected at home. However, some of the symptoms that the CDA points out that you may notice at home include:
- Coloured patches (usually white or dark red) located in your mouth, on your lips, or on your tongue
- Changes in the texture or colour of your mouth tissue, including raised areas and lumps
- Unexpected bleeding or numbness in the mouth and gums
- Sores, ulcers, or patches in the oral cavity that do not heal
- Changes in taste or sensation of the tongue
While you may notice some of the above symptoms at home, there are times when oral cancer can only be diagnosed using specialized equipment and x-rays found in a dentist’s office, such as here at Richmond Dental Care.
Risk Factors are Varied
The actual cause of oral cancer is not yet known. That means that no one is immune from the condition. However, the CDA has identified several areas of commonality:
- Smoking and using vaping products
- Heavy alcohol consumption (especially when combined with smoking)
- Repeated and prolonged exposure of the facial area to the sun
- Poor diet, genetics, and gender since more men develop the disease than women
- A history of leukoplakia or human papillomavirus
Make an Appointment for Your Oral Cancer Screening
If you’ve noticed one or more of the symptoms listed above or believe you fall into one of the higher risk categories shown, now is a great time to receive oral cancer screening near you from our dentists at Richmond Dental Care. Whether you make your appointment for a stand-alone screening or as a part of your routine dental exam, you’ll have one less health concern to worry about by taking care of this important screening.
FAQs
An oral cancer screening in Richmond Hill is a preventive examination designed to identify early signs of oral cancer, precancerous lesions, or abnormal tissue changes. Detecting abnormalities at an early stage improves the likelihood of successful treatment and allows for timely medical intervention.
During an oral cancer screening, the dentist does an in-depth visual and tactile examination of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, throat, and neck. They check for unusual tissue changes such as red or white patches, sores, or lumps. In some cases, adjunctive screening tools like fluorescence light or diagnostic dyes may be used to enhance detection.
Timely oral cancer screenings are recommended for all adults, particularly those with increased risk factors. This includes individuals who use products containing tobacco, consume alcohol regularly, have a history of HPV infection, or experience prolonged sun exposure affecting the lips. Adults over 40 and those with a history of oral lesions should receive regular evaluations.
Early signs of oral cancer may include continuous mouth sores, unexplained bleeding, lumps, thickened tissue, difficulty swallowing, or red and white patches inside the mouth. Any oral lesion that does not go away within two weeks should be checked by a dental professional for further assessment.
An oral cancer screening is a swift, non-invasive, and generally painless procedure typically performed during a routine dental visit. If an area of concern is identified, further diagnostic testing, such as a biopsy, may be advised, which involves minimal discomfort.
Most dental professionals recommend oral cancer screening every 6 to 12 months as part of regular dental checkups. Individuals with higher risk factors or a history of oral cancer may require more frequent monitoring based on clinical recommendations.
If suspicious tissue or lesions are detected, the dentist may suggest additional diagnostic procedures such as a brush biopsy or referral for further evaluation. These steps help determine whether the condition is benign, precancerous, or malignant, allowing for appropriate treatment planning and timely care.
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