Oral Cancer Screenings in Jackson, MI
The most important appointments with your dentist are your biannual checkups. During these visits, our dentists check your teeth for decay and damage. They also visually and physically examine the soft tissues of the mouth, neck, and beneath the lips and tongue for lumps, lesions, and discolorations as part of your oral cancer screenings in Jackson, MI.
Why are Screenings for Cancer Important?
Early detection of oral cancer is critical for patients’ survival, so our dentists at Arbor Falls Dental and Wellness check for this disease every six months during routine checkups. The survival rate for patients who have their cancers detected during the first stage is approximately 83 percent. However, it drops to 38 percent if the cancer isn’t detected until it spreads to other parts of the body.
Unfortunately, most people don’t have their cancer discovered until it spreads to their lymph nodes or metastasizes in another part of their body. If you’re not sure you’ve had one recently, ask your dentist about having an oral cancer screening during an examination of your teeth and mouth. During these exams, dentists can detect throat cancers as well.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
You can do your part in detecting cancer by paying attention to any symptoms that you might have, which include:
- Red or white lesions on lips or mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loose teeth
- Lump on the neck
- Persistent earache
- A lump or hard tissue in your mouth
- Numbness in the lower lip, chin, face, or neck
While some of these symptoms belong to other issues, you should not ignore them. Contact our dentists in Jackson, MI if you notice these symptoms to get a screening.
Diagnosing Oral Cancer
After finding something suspicious, our dentists near you may do a biopsy in the office or refer you to an oncologist to have one. Diagnostic tests should get scheduled as soon as possible so that if they are positive for cancer, treatments can begin right away. The sooner treatments start, the better your chances are for survival.
If you find a lump on your neck, lesions in your mouth, or you’re having difficulty swallowing, don’t hesitate to call us at Arbor Falls Dental and Wellness for oral cancer screenings near you.
FAQs
Early stages of oral cancer can be hard to spot — screenings help catch abnormal tissue changes before they become more serious. This early detection can improve treatment options and is associated with better outcomes.
During the exam, the dentist examines soft tissues in your mouth — tongue, cheeks, gums, roof, and floor of mouth — and feels your neck for lumps. The process is quick, painless, and part of a thorough check-up.
For most adults, annual screenings during regular dental cleanings are recommended. If you use tobacco, consume alcohol heavily, or have other risk factors, your dentist might suggest more frequent checks.
If we notice anything unusual, we’ll advise further evaluation, which may involve a biopsy or referral to a specialist. Early action is key to effective treatment and management.
No, while smoking and heavy alcohol use increase risk, oral cancer can occur in anyone. That’s why routine screenings are recommended for all adult patients, regardless of lifestyle.
