What a Screening Involves
An oral cancer screening is a visual and tactile examination of the soft tissues of the mouth and throat. The dentist examines the lips, gums, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, and the back of the throat.
The exam looks for tissue changes that may warrant further evaluation: sores that have not healed within two weeks, white or red patches (leukoplakia or erythroplakia), lumps or thickened areas, or unusual texture changes. Most findings are benign. The value of screening is identifying the exceptions early.
The screening is included as part of the comprehensive exam. It adds only a few minutes to the appointment and requires no preparation from the patient.
Risk Factors
Known risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use (smoking and smokeless), heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, significant sun exposure to the lips, and age. The majority of oral cancers are diagnosed in adults over 40.
Screening is appropriate for all adult patients regardless of risk level. The increasing incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers means that traditional risk factors do not define the full population at risk. Routine screening at every exam is the most reliable approach.