An oral cancer screening is typically completed by a dentist. They will check for signs of oral cancer, or pre-cancerous conditions inside your mouth. The object of this screening is to detect oral cancer at an early stage so it can be treated. Most dentists conduct this examination during a routine dental visit. Some dentists use additional tests in order to detect abnormal cells inside the mouth. Here is an overview of the type of oral cancer screening you can expect from our dental clinic in Brampton so you are prepared for the experience. Let’s get started.

Brief Overview of How Oral Cancer Screening Works in Brampton

As suggested by the National Cancer Institute in America, an in-depth oral cancer screening takes less than two minutes. That’s less time than you need to brush your teeth. This screening covers the mouth, including connected tissues such as the larynx, pharynx, throat and sinuses. As mentioned, this screening looks for obvious problems so early treatment can be recommended if needed. Here is a brief introduction to how an oral cancer screening works.

Visual Examination

If you wear any dentures or removable dental appliances, remove them before the screening. This helps your dentist check your whole mouth. For example, he may look for swellings, asymmetries, colour patches, ulcers, or other abnormalities. Moreover, he may examine your neck, cheeks, face, and jaw; inside the oral cavity and nose; and all other relevant body parts during this screening. In order to examine your mouth, your dentist will use a mirror and light. They will also use a tongue depressor to check the back of your mouth. Your dentist will ask you to stick out your tongue and say ‘ahh’ to expose areas in your throat that are otherwise hard to see.

Physical Examination

Apart from a visual examination, the dentist will touch your mouth, neck and face to feel for any abnormal masses or nodules. This touch is vital in order to find any cancerous condition in the mouth. This tactile examination also helps the dentist find any hard tissue or lumps. While some mouth or oral cancer symptoms are quite painful, they are generally painless in the early phase. This is a factor that the dentist usually considers during the screening.

What Devices Are Used for Oral Cancer Screening?

Your dentist may use advanced examination tools to conduct your screening. These include:        

• An improved oral examination process for detecting suspicious mouth tissues with the help of a fluorescent light.
• An oral or mouth brush biopsy that painlessly removes cells for examination.
• A screening for oral lesions using mouth rinse in order to inspect the tissues visually.

Post-Oral Cancer Screening

It is vital to note that screening for oral cancer is a precautionary and not a diagnostic procedure. For example, if your dentist finds nothing suspicious, it will indeed be a great relief. However, it is vital to book regular dentist appointments, especially when you are at risk of oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, these are the risk factors for oral or mouth cancer:

• Use of tobacco and alcohol
• Exposure to harmful rays of the sun
• HPV (human papillomavirus infection)
• Gender (risk is double in men)
• Those over 55

  Oral cancer screening in Brampton and elsewhere is important. If your dentist finds any symptoms of oral cancer, they will immediately refer you for additional testing in order to determine what the symptom actually signifies. Remember, further investigations do not mean you have oral cancer. Even if it is detected, an early diagnosis is key to successful treatment which is why it’s so vital. For more information about oral cancer screening, general dental care, or cosmetic dentistry in Brampton, please feel free to contact us.