Early detection for your peace of mind
Every comprehensive exam includes oral cancer screening. We examine all soft tissues carefully, looking for red or white patches, sores that don’t heal, lumps, or other changes that could indicate cancer or precancerous conditions. Early detection of oral cancer dramatically improves treatment success and survival rates. Most oral cancers are painless in early stages, making visual examination by a dentist the primary method of early detection.
Certain factors increase oral cancer risk, including tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and HPV infection. We discuss your risk factors and may recommend more frequent screening if you’re at elevated risk. If we identify suspicious areas, we can refer you for biopsy and further evaluation. While most abnormalities turn out to be benign, catching cancer early when it’s most treatable can be lifesaving.