What is oral cancer and who is at risk?
Oral cancer refers to abnormal cell growth in any part of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat. While it’s more common in people over the age of 45, it can affect adults of any age, especially those with certain risk factors.
Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. That’s why oral cancer screening is a simple but vital part of your routine dental care. You may benefit from a screening if you’ve noticed:
- Patches of unusual colour (white, red, or dark) inside your mouth or on your lips
- Lumps, bumps, or changes in texture
- Canker sores that don’t heal or unusual bleeding
- A change in how your tongue feels, or difficulty swallowing
- Numb areas or changes in your sense of taste
Key risk factors for oral cancer
Certain habits and conditions increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer. These include:
- Tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption, especially when combined with tobacco
- A history of human papillomavirus (HPV), which can affect the mouth and throat
- Prolonged sun exposure (which can affect the lips)
- Poor nutrition or an unbalanced diet
- A family history of oral cancer
- A prior diagnosis of leukoplakia (white patches in the mouth)
- Gender—oral cancer is more common in men than women
If any of these apply to you, regular screenings are strongly recommended.
How oral cancer screening works
An oral cancer screening is quick, painless, and can be performed during your regular dental exam. Here’s what to expect:
Visual and tactile exam
Your dentist will carefully examine the inside of your mouth, lips, and tongue for unusual discoloration, sores, or growths. They’ll also gently palpate (feel) the soft tissues of your cheeks, jaw, throat, and neck to check for lumps or abnormalities.
What happens if something is found?
If we spot anything suspicious, we may recommend further testing such as:
- A biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is collected for lab analysis
- Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRI, or ultrasounds to get a closer look
If oral cancer is confirmed, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the location and severity.
Prevention of oral cancer
While not all cancers are preventable, there are steps you can take to lower your risk:
- Stop smoking or using any tobacco products
- Limit alcohol intake, especially when combined with tobacco use
- Use sun protection on your lips, UV lip balms are a great option
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and screenings
- Perform self-exams at home and report any changes or concerns
Maintaining good oral hygiene and being proactive about your health is your best line of defense.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any of the risk factors listed above, or you’ve noticed changes in your mouth that don’t resolve within two weeks—it’s time to book a screening. Even if you don’t have symptoms, asking your Dentist in Mississauga to perform an oral cancer screening during your routine visit is a wise preventative measure.
Your dentist will look inside your mouth, including under your tongue, and examine your lips, gums, and cheeks. They’ll also feel for unusual lumps or textures around your face, jaw, and neck to spot anything out of the ordinary.
Wash your hands and stand in front of a well-lit mirror. Look inside your mouth and examine the roof, floor, tongue, gums, and inner cheeks. Use your fingers to feel for bumps or tenderness. Gently pull your lips and cheeks back to check hard-to-see areas. Use gauze or a cloth to move your tongue and check all sides.
If you see or feel anything unusual, especially something that doesn’t go away after two weeks—book a professional screening.
Often painless, early signs may include small, flat patches that are red, white, gray, or yellow (sometimes with red edges). They can appear anywhere in the mouth or on the lips. Any new spot that looks or feels off should be checked by a dentist or doctor.
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