Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screenings can help to identify cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure. Our SE Portland Dental team isn’t just concerned with the care of our patients’ teeth, but their overall health as well. Approximately 42,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral and throat cancers annually. When cancer is detected and treated early, the long-term outcome is significantly improved. As a part of our routine patient exam, we will chat with you about your health history and examine specific areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer. The screening will consist of a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. Regular visits can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily. Between visits, it’s important to be aware of the following signs and symptoms and notify us or your physician if they do not disappear after two weeks:

• a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away
• red or white patches
• pain, tenderness or numbness in your mouth or lips
• a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw