Oral Cancer Screening in Sacramento
Why an Oral Cancer Screening is the Most Important Minute of Your Life
As a local Dentist in the City of Trees, we believe that taking care of your smile means more than just filling cavities. It means looking out for your whole life. That is why an Oral cancer screening is a standard part of every checkup at Tex Mabalon Dentistry.
It’s a quick, painless process, it usually takes less than two minutes, but it’s a total lifesaver. Because oral cancer often doesn’t hurt in the beginning, you might not even know something is wrong until it’s far along. Our goal is to catch it when it’s so small you can’t even feel it.
What are we actually looking for?
During your screening, we aren’t just looking at your teeth. We are looking at the “soft tissues” of your mouth. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, early detection is the single most important factor in survival rates. If we find something early, the success rate for treatment is incredibly high.
We check your:
Tongue: We look at the sides and underneath, which are common spots for issues.
Floor of the mouth: We feel for any hard lumps or unusual textures.
Cheeks and Lips: We look for any red or white patches that don’t belong.
Neck and Jaw: We feel your lymph nodes to make sure there is no swelling or firm spots.
The Factors That Matter for Sacramento Locals
A lot of people think, “I don’t smoke, so I don’t need to worry about oral cancer.” While tobacco use is a big risk factor, it isn’t the only one. The American Cancer Society notes that cases related to the HPV virus are on the rise, even in younger people who have never smoked.
Sun exposure is another big one here in Sacramento. We love our outdoor lifestyle, but all those afternoons at the American River can lead to skin cancer on the lips. During your screening, we check your lip line to make sure the sun hasn’t caused any damage you should know about.
High-Tech Peace of Mind
At Tex Mabalon Dentistry, we use our eyes and our hands, but we also use our tech. If we see something that looks a little “off,” we can use Digital X-rays or even 3d dental imaging to see if there is any involvement with the bone underneath.
We know that talking about cancer can be scary, but we promise to keep it simple and stress-free. On the off-chance it is something serious, you’ll be glad we looked. We want to be the Dentist that keeps you healthy for all the seasons to come in this beautiful city.
frequently asked questions:
How do I get screened for oral cancer?
Oral cancer screening is typically performed by a dentist or doctor during a routine dental appointment. The exam involves a visual inspection of your mouth and a physical check where the provider feels the tissues in your mouth, throat, and neck for lumps or abnormalities.
What are 5 signs of oral cancer?
Common signs identified during or after a screening include red or white patches on the lining of the mouth, sores that do not heal, and unusual lumps or thickening of the tissues. Other symptoms can include loose teeth and persistent mouth or ear pain.
What is a red flag for oral cancer?
A significant red flag is the presence of an unusual sore or a patch of red or white tissue that does not go away. Because many mouth sores are noncancerous, dentists may recommend a follow-up visit after a few weeks to see if the area has changed or persisted.
What is the gold standard test for oral cancer?
The only way to definitively determine whether a person has oral cancer is through a procedure called a biopsy. This involves removing a sample of abnormal cells from a suspicious area and testing them in a laboratory to confirm the presence of cancer.
Would oral cancer show up in bloodwork?
Currently, oral cancer is primarily detected through physical exams and confirmed by tissue biopsies rather than blood tests. While bloodwork can help diagnose certain blood cancers or track tumor markers for other conditions, it is not the standard method for identifying mouth cancer.
What tests confirm mouth cancer?
Mouth cancer is confirmed through a biopsy, where a sample of suspicious tissue is analyzed in a lab by a pathologist. Additionally, doctors may use imaging tests such as CT, MRI, or PET scans to determine the size of the cancer and if it has spread.