June 9, 2025

Why Oral Cancer Screenings Are a Must

Oral Cancer • 7 min read

General Dentist

Oral cancer is a serious health concern that often goes unnoticed in its early stages. Regular screenings can make a significant difference in early detection and treatment outcomes.

At Hinsdale Dental, we believe oral cancer screenings are an essential part of maintaining your overall health. These quick, painless examinations could potentially save your life.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Definition and Types

Oral cancer affects thousands of Americans each year. In 2022, there were an estimated 452,075 people living with oral cavity and pharynx cancer in the United States. This cancer type develops in various parts of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat.

Several types of oral cancer exist:

Squamous cell carcinoma (accounts for about 90% of all oral cancers)
Verrucous carcinoma
Salivary gland carcinomas
Lymphomas

Risk Factors

Understanding oral cancer risk factors aids prevention and early detection. Primary risk factors include:

Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and using smokeless tobacco significantly increase oral cancer risk.
Alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol use links to higher oral cancer risk. The risk escalates for those who both smoke and drink heavily.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The CDC reports HPV in about 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States. HPV 16 antibodies have been found to precede oropharyngeal cancers by more than 10 years, underscoring a temporal association.
Sun exposure: Prolonged sunlight exposure increases lip cancer risk.
Age: Most oral cancers occur in people over 55, although HPV-related cases increasingly appear in younger individuals.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Early recognition of oral cancer signs can lead to better treatment outcomes. Common symptoms include:

Persistent sores or ulcers (that don’t heal within two weeks)
Red or white patches in the mouth
Lumps or thickening of the cheek
Difficulty swallowing or chewing
Persistent sore throat or feeling of something caught in the throat
Numbness in the tongue or other mouth areas
Swelling of the jaw
Chronic hoarseness

We recommend patients perform monthly self-examinations at home. Look for changes in your mouth, including discoloration, lumps, or sores that don’t heal. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a dental professional immediately.

Regular dental check-ups that include oral cancer screenings prove vital for early detection. Overall, 68% of people with oral cancer survive for 5 years, with survival rates being significantly lower for Black and American Indian/Alaska Native men.

The importance of early detection cannot be overstated. In the next section, we’ll explore how oral cancer screenings work and why they play a critical role in maintaining your oral health.

The Critical Role of Early Detection in Oral Cancer

Survival Rates: Early vs. Late Stage

Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves survival rates and treatment outcomes. The American Cancer Society reports that the 5-year relative survival rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers is 72% when caught at a localized stage. This rate drops to 43% for regional stage cancers and falls to 22% for distant stage cancers. These statistics highlight the importance of regular oral cancer screenings.

The Screening Process

Oral cancer screenings are quick, painless, and non-invasive procedures. During a typical screening, a dentist will:

Visually inspect the lips, gums, tongue, and the inside of the cheeks for abnormalities.
Feel the neck, jaw, and oral tissues for lumps or irregular textures.
Use specialized tools (such as VELscope, which uses a blue light to detect potentially cancerous changes not visible to the naked eye).

If suspicious areas are found, the dentist may recommend a follow-up visit or a biopsy for further evaluation.

Recommended Screening Frequency

The American Dental Association suggests that adults should have an oral cancer screening with every routine dental visit. For most people, this translates to screenings at least twice a year.

Individuals with higher risk factors may need more frequent screenings. These risk factors include:

A history of tobacco use
Heavy alcohol consumption (especially when combined with tobacco use)
Previous oral cancer diagnosis
HPV infection

Dentists often tailor screening recommendations based on each patient’s individual risk profile. A proactive approach to oral health includes regular screenings and patient education about self-examination techniques.

The Power of Self-Examination

While professional screenings are essential, patients should also perform monthly self-examinations. During these self-checks, individuals should look for:

Red or white patches in the mouth
Sores that don’t heal within two weeks
Lumps or thickening of the cheek
Changes in the color or texture of oral tissues

Patients who notice any of these signs shouldn’t wait for their next dental appointment. They should contact their dentist immediately for an evaluation.

As we move forward, let’s explore what patients can expect during a professional oral cancer screening and the advanced technologies used in these potentially life-saving examinations.

What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?

Visual and Tactile Examination

Dentists start with a thorough visual inspection of the entire oral cavity. This includes the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof and floor of the mouth. They look for any abnormalities such as red or white patches, sores, or lumps.

Next, they perform a tactile examination. Using gloved hands, dentists gently feel the tissues in the mouth, jaw, and neck to detect any unusual lumps or changes in texture. This step is essential as some abnormalities may not be visible to the naked eye.

Advanced Screening Technologies

In addition to the traditional visual and tactile exam, dentists may use advanced technologies to enhance their screening capabilities. One such tool is the VELscope, a handheld device that uses blue light to detect potentially cancerous changes in oral tissues.

The VELscope works by causing healthy tissues to fluoresce, while abnormal tissues appear dark. This technology allows dentists to identify suspicious areas that might not be visible during a regular exam. A study found that VELscope showed a 90.47% sensitivity in detecting high-risk lesions compared to low-risk lesions.

Follow-Up Procedures

If dentists detect any abnormalities during the screening, patients shouldn’t panic. Many oral abnormalities are benign. However, dental professionals take all potential signs seriously. Here’s what patients can expect if something unusual is found:

Detailed explanation: The dentist will discuss the findings, explaining what they’ve observed and why it warrants further investigation.
Documentation: The abnormality will be thoroughly documented (often including photographs for comparison in future exams).
Re-evaluation: In some cases, the dentist might recommend a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to see if the abnormality resolves on its own.
Biopsy referral: If the abnormality is concerning or persists, the dentist may refer the patient for a biopsy. This involves removing a small sample of tissue for laboratory analysis.
Specialist referral: Depending on the findings, the dentist might refer the patient to an oral surgeon or oncologist for further evaluation and treatment.

The American Cancer Society reports that the death rate for cancers of the mouth and throat increased by 0.7% per year from 2009 through 2022, after decades of decline. This emphasizes the importance of regular screenings.

Patient Education

During the screening process, dentists often educate patients about self-examination techniques. They may provide instructions on how to perform monthly self-checks at home, including what to look for and when to seek professional help.

Frequency of Screenings

The American Dental Association offers recommendations for the use of adjuncts as triage tools for evaluating lesions in the oral cavity. Individuals should discuss with their dentist the appropriate frequency of screenings based on their individual risk factors. These risk factors include a history of tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, previous oral cancer diagnosis, and HPV infection.

Final Thoughts

Oral cancer screenings play a vital role in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being. These quick, painless examinations detect potential issues early, which improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Regular dental check-ups that include oral cancer screenings allow patients to take proactive steps towards preventing this serious disease.

We at Hinsdale Dental encourage our patients to prioritize their oral health through regular dental appointments (which include oral cancer screenings). Our experienced professionals use advanced technologies and techniques to provide thorough examinations, which identify and address potential issues promptly. Our team offers comprehensive dental services for patients of all ages, including initial oral exams, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and emergency dental care.

Don’t wait to protect your health. Schedule your next dental appointment today and prioritize your oral health for a brighter, healthier future. Visit Hinsdale Dental to learn more about our services and book your oral cancer screening.

Meet the Author

Dr. Alyssa C. Brown