The goal of oral cancer screenings is to identify any cancerous growths early to prevent the spread of the disease. An oral cancer screening is a simple process that typically happens during your regular checkup with your professional dentist.

Here’s what you can expect during an oral cancer screening!

A Physical Exam of Your Oral Cavity

Your dentist will conduct a physical exam of your oral cavity to look for areas in the mouth that may be red or white, such as sores or lesions [2]. Your dentist will also feel for lumps in your face, neck, and jaw that could be indicative of cancer.

The exam is comprehensive and includes your lips, the lining of your cheeks, gums, tongue, and the floor and roof of your mouth. This process is usually simple and painless—even for patients that experience dental anxiety, there’s no instruments used, just a simple visual exam.

A Few Brief Questions

During your oral cancer screening, your dentist will ask you about any changes in your health or if you’re having any symptoms related to oral cancer [3]. These symptoms could include unexplained pain, numbness, or bleeding in your oral cavity.

If you’re new at your dentist office, they may also ask about your history of cancer, smoking, or tobacco use to better understand your risk for oral cancer. Based on this information, your dentist will recommend screening options. Typically, oral cancer screenings happen annually for adults.

What Happens If Your Dentist Suspects Oral Cancer

If your dentist finds something that requires further investigation, don’t panic. Some lesions or bumps are benign—non-cancerous—and nothing to worry about. Your dentist may want to conduct a few additional tests to get a better idea of what their findings are.

These tests could include staining options such as blue or florescence stains, which can help healthcare professionals identify potentially cancerous growths [4]. Your dentist may also want to take a biopsy, in which cells are scraped and looked at to determine if further diagnosis is required.

Based on their findings, your dentist can refer you to a specialist for further testing and
diagnosis.

When Was Your Last Checkup?

Your regular dentist visits aren’t just for teeth cleanings—with an annual oral cancer screening, you can help catch oral cancer early to increase your chances of treatment success. Ask your dentist about their process for oral cancer screenings during your next checkup!

Sources:
1. https://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=106&key=O
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/oral-cancer-screening/about/pac-
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-cancer
4. https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/oral-screening-pdq

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What exactly is the impact of marijuana on dental health? Here’s how marijuana could be harming your teeth and gums over time.

Increased Risk of Periodontal Disease

Similar to smoking cigarettes, smoking marijuana has been linked to gum disease. Research shows a correlation between regular marijuana use and an increased risk of gum disease.

Higher rates of gum disease have been noted among people who use marijuana frequently, so the more you use marijuana, the more likely you are to have gum disease. In addition, studies have shown that gum disease may manifest earlier in life for marijuana users.

Although a causal link hasn’t been established, experts speculate that marijuana irritates the soft tissues of the mouth and causes damage to the ligaments that help anchor the teeth in place, making gum disease more likely.

Reduced Saliva Contributes to Tooth Decay

Marijuana dries out the oral cavity by reducing production of saliva. This leads to dry mouth, which has been linked to tooth decay and chronic bad breath.

How does this happen? Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active component in marijuana, inhibits salivary glands in the mouth from producing saliva. When saliva production is blocked, the mouth quickly becomes dry.

A dry mouth typically has a lower pH, leading your oral cavity to be more acidic. Having a lower pH increases the chances that tooth decay will occur, as harmful bacteria attack tooth enamel and can erode it away.

Potentially Higher Risk of Oral Cancers

In some studies, marijuana has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer. These cancers include cancers of the mouth and neck. Research has been inconclusive when it comes to marijuana and an increased cancer risk, but here’s what we do know.

Marijuana contains many of the same carcinogens as cigarettes. Marijuana smoke also contains higher concentrations of these toxic chemicals than cigarettes. Ongoing research is needed, but at this time, it’s best to be cautionary when it comes to marijuana and its known toxins.

Yellowing Teeth

Although not exactly a health impact of marijuana, marijuana smokers, just like tobacco smokers, are more likely to have yellow teeth. Their teeth are more at risk to take on a yellow or brown hue due to using this substance. By minimizing smoking or avoiding it altogether, you can help your teeth remain white and free of deep staining.

When it comes to marijuana, we know that it’s been linked to a higher risk of periodontal disease and is known for drying out the oral cavity, which can increase your risk for tooth decay. Although the jury is still out on whether or not marijuana use increases your risk for oral cancer, avoiding smoking or reducing your use can help you better maintain a healthy smile!

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An oral cancer screening is a simple exam that your dentist performs in order to ensure you don’t have any signs or symptoms of oral cancer. Every year, nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer and of those, nearly 10,000 will die from this disease. Early detection can save your life—so schedule an oral cancer screening or ask about one at your next dentist appointment! What should you expect during an oral cancer screening?

Visual Exam

Your dentist will conduct a visual exam to examine your mouth for any white or red areas that could be sores indicative of oral cancer. Your dentist should also look at either side of your face for unusual lumps or changes in your facial structure. Your tongue will also be examined: this includes the top, bottom, and sides. Your dentist will also perform a physical exam in conjunction with the visual exam to check for oral cancer.

Physical Exam

A physical exam of your mouth, neck, and jaw is an important part of the oral cancer screening—any lumps or abnormalities may not be visible but be able to be detected through touch. Your dentist will also feel the inside of your mouth, including your cheeks, in order to ensure there are no abnormalities present.

Your lymph nodes can also be at risk to develop cancerous tumors. Your dentist will examine the lymph nodes that are present in your neck. Your lips will also be physically examined in addition to the place where your jaw hinges near your ears.

Questions

Your dentist will also ask you some questions during your oral cancer screening. He or she will ask if you’re experiencing any symptoms that you haven’t mentioned, whether or not you smoke, and how frequently you drink. Smoking and drinking are big risk factors that should be addressed.

People who consume alcohol in excess or smoke are more likely to get oral cancer than those who don’t. Be open and honest with your dentist so that he or she can advise you and help assess your risk for oral cancer as you age. Age is also risk factor for oral cancer!

The Symptoms of Oral Cancer

It’s important that you talk to your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing when it comes to oral cancer. Although some people experience no symptoms, especially in the early stages of cancer, other symptoms may include a sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away, a lump or swollen lymph nodes that don’t go decrease in size, or even facial numbness.

Since some of these symptoms are vague and difficult to notice, it’s best to get a check up with a professional. Your dentist can examine your mouth during your regular checkups to ensure no signs of cancer are present.

Have you ever had an oral cancer screening? Talk with your dentist during your next checkup about your risk for oral cancer. Prevention is the best medicine, and early detection of oral cancer can mean the difference between successful and unsuccessful treatment. Get screened for oral cancer with your dentist during your next visit!

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Signs and Symptoms

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so that you can visit your doctor or dentist if you notice any of the following:

– A sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away.

– Swelling or lumps inside the mouth (including lips or gums).

– White or red patches in the mouth.

– Bleeding from the mouth without a cause.

– Numbness or pain around mouth, face, or neck.

– Difficulty moving your jaw—this may include trouble swallowing, speaking, or chewing.

– Bad breath.

– Weight loss.

While mouth sores are the most common symptom, there are other symptoms you should know, including a change in voice, sore throat, or ear pain. This is why it’s always important to visit your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms!

Risk Factors

You can decrease your risk of getting oral cancer by adjusting your lifestyle. The biggest influential risk factors including smoking or using tobacco products, but did you know that frequent drinkers of alcohol increase their risk of oral cancer by more than six times? The risk increases if you smoke along with drink alcohol frequently. Men are also twice as likely as women to get oral cancer.

Risk factors also include having a family history of cancer or oral cancer, extreme sun exposure, and even human papilloma virus (HPV) may increase your risk for certain cancers. It’s also important to eat well: a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits as opposed to one heavy in meat and processed foods could help prevent cancer!

What Can You Do?

Be knowledgeable about oral cancer. Know what the signs and symptoms are so that you can recognize them if they happen to you and visit your doctor or dentist. If oral cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be taken. Regular checkups with your dentist can help to ensure your mouth is healthy, and always talk with your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing. You can also manage any risk factors you have that could lead to oral cancer, such as using tobacco products, drinking alcohol often, or exposure to the sun.

Taking the best care of yourself includes knowing what to look out for when it comes to certain diseases, including oral cancer. Over 25% of people who get oral cancer don’t smoke and drink infrequently. Know the signs and symptoms. Manage your risk factors. Visit your dentist regularly. Treatment for oral cancer is most successful when it’s detected early and can save your life!

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An oral cancer screening is done in a dentist’s office, usually during a regular appointment. The dentist examines your mouth visually, and while wearing gloves, feels inside your mouth for lumps or other abnormalities. If you wear dentures or other removable dental appliances you will be asked to remove them for the exam. Other tests for oral cancer include a dye test in which you rinse your mouth with a dye which may cause abnormal cells in your mouth to turn blue. Another test involves a light that is shined in your mouth and shows abnormal tissue as white.

Abnormalities discovered in a screening may not be cancerous. If any abnormalities are found, you will have to undergo additional testing. Usually a follow up screening is performed a few weeks later to see if the abnormality is still present. A biopsy, which removes a sample of the cells and tests them, can determine if the cells are cancerous or benign.

Oral cancer screening can detect cancer or precancer, but some oral cancer can escape detection by a screening exam. There is no evidence that oral cancer screening saves lives, but it may lead to early detection of oral cancer and increase the chances of survival.

If you would like to learn more about oral cancer, its risk factors and oral cancer screening, call for an appointment. The decision to have oral cancer screening can only be made by careful consideration by you and the dentist.

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Yellowing Teeth
Over time, the nicotine from the tobacco will cause the teeth to turn yellow, and there will be nothing you can do about it! Brushing will have no effect on your efforts to whiten teeth as the product will stick to your enamel permanently.

Receding Gums
As use of smokeless tobacco increases, gums will begin to recede and the bottom portion of the teeth will start to show, leading to loose teeth or a heavy increase in bacteria. Sweeteners in the tobacco, causing a more palatable flavor for chewers, will also add to further gum recession. As time progresses, the sweeteners will attack teeth, causing tooth abrasion and eventually decay. Receding gums are no longer able to properly support teeth in the mouth and decaying teeth continue to rot.

Cancer And Other Lesions
Undoubtedly, cancer is the worst effect of smokeless tobacco. Not only is cancer devastating to health and overall well-being, but it can be incredibly painful. Teeth can continue to fall out and make it nearly impossible to consume food. Cancer can develop in the mouth, throat and larynx. While surgery is an option to remove the cancer, it often leaves the mouth and face permanently disfigured. Additionally, smokeless tobacco causes what is known as a “Pan Chewer’s Lesion,” which is a dark encrusting on the tongue and sides of the mouth. This can be scraped off, but it an be difficult to completely remove as white patches continue to form on the sides of the mouth. Another pre-cancerous condition is sub mucous fibrosis in which fibrous strands develop in the mouth. These strands often restrict the opening of the mouth, appearing to be long, stringy, unattractive fibers.

Smokeless tobacco is the arch-rival of a healthy, clean mouth. By destroying and attacking from the inside, the mouth becomes a wasteland for bad breath, rotting teeth, and irreversible diseases that severely impact overall oral health. With this information in mind, it is our hope that the next time you pass that corner street vendor, you’ll think before you chew.

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