Oral Cancer Exam

According to the American Cancer Society, over 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, with more than 7,000 of those cases resulting in death. When caught early, oral cancer is effectively treatable. The challenge is that in its earliest stages, it produces no symptoms — making a professional examination essential.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a pathologic process that can originate in many areas of the mouth and face. Types include teratoma, adenocarcinoma, and melanoma. The most common form is malignant squamous cell carcinoma, which typically originates in the lip and mouth tissue. Other common sites include:

• The tongue
• Salivary glands
• Throat and tonsils
• Gums
• Floor of the mouth
• Face and neck

More than 75% of oral cancers are associated with avoidable behaviors — particularly tobacco use (smoking and smokeless), excessive alcohol consumption, and HPV infection. Our dentists can provide counseling, literature, and resources for patients interested in reducing these risks.

What to Expect During the Exam

The oral cancer examination is completely painless and typically takes only a few minutes. Our dentists will:

• Visually inspect the entire oral cavity — lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, and throat — for color changes, asymmetry, or abnormal tissue
• Use laser technology to highlight pathologic changes below the surface that are invisible to the naked eye under normal lighting
• Palpate the face, jaw, neck, and lymph nodes for unusual firmness, asymmetry, or enlarged nodes

What We're Looking For

• Red patches (erythroplakia) on the floor of the mouth or front of the tongue — particularly those that bleed or fail to heal
• White or gray lesions (leukoplakia) — hardened, slightly raised areas inside the mouth that may indicate precancerous change
• Non-healing sores that persist beyond two to three weeks
• Lumps, thickening, or soreness anywhere in the mouth or throat

If Something Is Found

If our dentists identify any abnormality, lesion, or suspicious tissue, they will develop a clear next-step plan. Depending on the findings, this may include monitoring over a short period, a biopsy for laboratory analysis, or a referral for specialized evaluation. Treatment options for confirmed oral cancer vary by diagnosis and may include surgical excision, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Annual screening is recommended for all adults, and is particularly important for patients who use tobacco, consume alcohol regularly, or have a prior history of oral lesions.

Schedule a screening →