Oral Cancer Screening

Every comprehensive exam at our High River clinic includes an oral cancer screening. It takes about two minutes, there is nothing to prepare for, and it is the single best way to catch changes in your mouth while they are still small and easy to treat.

Your dentist visually examines your lips, tongue, the floor and roof of your mouth, cheeks, gums and throat, then gently feels the tissue and the lymph nodes in your neck. We are looking for anything that does not belong: a sore that has not healed, a red or white patch, a lump, thickened tissue, or a rough area you may not have noticed.

Roughly 7,500 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and survival rates rise sharply when it is caught early. Because early lesions rarely hurt, most people have no idea anything is wrong, which is exactly why we screen at every visit rather than waiting for symptoms.

If we find something worth watching, we will explain what we are seeing and either re-examine it in two weeks or arrange a referral for a biopsy. Most findings turn out to be harmless, and we would far rather check than assume.

Between visits, tell us about any mouth sore lasting longer than two weeks, persistent hoarseness, numbness, difficulty swallowing, or a change in how your teeth fit together. Tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, HPV and significant sun exposure to the lips all raise your risk.

Have questions about whether this is right for you? Book an appointment or call our team at (403) 652-2182.