When you think about your regular dental checkup, you probably expect teeth cleaning, cavity checks, and perhaps some X-rays. But at Saranya Dental, we believe your routine visit should do even more—like potentially saving your life. That’s why oral cancer screening is a vital part of every smart checkup we perform.
Oral cancer is a serious condition that often goes unnoticed until it’s in an advanced stage. But with early detection, treatment becomes more effective and survival rates increase significantly. The good news? Your dentist is uniquely positioned to detect the early signs of oral cancer, often before you even notice symptoms yourself.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any part of the mouth, including:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Cheeks
- Roof or floor of the mouth
- Gums
- Throat (oropharynx)
It typically starts as a small sore, lump, or discolored patch that doesn’t heal. Left unchecked, it can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are diagnosed with oral cancer, and unfortunately, many cases are detected too late. But this doesn’t have to be your story. That’s where regular screenings come in.
Why Screening Matters
Oral cancer screening isn’t something that should be reserved for high-risk individuals or special appointments. At Saranya Dental, we include it as part of our routine dental exams—because it’s simple, painless, and potentially life-saving.
Here’s why it matters:
- Early Detection Saves Lives: When caught early, the 5-year survival rate for oral cancer can be as high as 80–90%.
- It’s Fast and Non-Invasive: A screening takes just a few minutes and involves a visual and physical examination.
- You May Not Notice Symptoms: Oral cancer in its early stages is often painless and symptom-free. Your dentist may see what you can’t feel.
What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening
An oral cancer screening is a quick, comfortable process. During your regular checkup at Saranya Dental, your dentist will:
- Visually inspect your mouth: We’ll check your lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, floor and roof of your mouth, and the back of your throat for any unusual spots, swelling, discoloration, or lesions.
- Palpate the neck and jaw: We gently feel the lymph nodes and surrounding areas for lumps, firmness, or irregularities.
- Use specialized tools if needed: In some cases, we may use a special light or dye to highlight abnormal tissue.
If anything suspicious is found, we’ll recommend a follow-up—either monitoring the area, referring you for a biopsy, or collaborating with a specialist to ensure proper diagnosis and care.
Who’s at Risk?
While everyone should be screened, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer. These include:
- Tobacco use: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- HPV infection: Human papillomavirus, particularly HPV-16
- Excessive sun exposure: Especially for lip cancer
- Age: Most cases occur in people over 40
- Diet: A lack of fruits and vegetables may increase risk
However, it’s important to note that oral cancer can affect anyone, even those with none of the above risk factors. That’s why screening is for everyone—not just “high-risk” individuals.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Even outside of a dental visit, you should be aware of potential warning signs of oral cancer, including:
- Persistent mouth sores or ulcers that don’t heal
- Red or white patches inside the mouth
- Lumps or thickening in the cheek
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
- Numbness or pain in the mouth or jaw
- Hoarseness or a chronic sore throat
If you notice any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, schedule an appointment immediately.
Prevention Starts in the Dental Chair
At Saranya Dental, we believe that prevention is the best form of protection. Incorporating oral cancer screening into your routine dental visit is one of the smartest health decisions you can make.
We don’t just care about your smile—we care about your whole health. By taking just a few minutes during each appointment, we can detect early signs of disease and give you peace of mind.
Schedule Your Screening Today
Your health is too important to leave to chance. If it’s been a while since your last checkup—or if you’ve never had an oral cancer screening—now is the time.
Visit Saranya Dental for a comprehensive checkup that includes expert cleaning, examination, and potentially life-saving screening. Because a healthy smile starts with a healthy mouth—and a smart checkup looks at more than just your teeth.
Call us today to book your appointment. Your future self will thank you.