Oral cancer can develop silently, often without pain or obvious symptoms in its early stages. That’s why routine oral cancer screenings are an essential part of comprehensive dental care at Smile Factory Dental. With early detection, most forms of oral cancer are highly treatable — which makes screening one of the most impactful preventive services we provide.
Our team uses advanced evaluation techniques to identify changes in tissues, detect abnormalities early, and protect your overall health.
Oral cancer can affect any area of the mouth, including:
Because early-stage oral cancer is often subtle, regular screenings significantly increase the chances of detecting changes before they become serious.
Early detection leads to:
This preventive step is fast, painless, and absolutely essential.
During your exam, we examine the mouth thoroughly for signs that warrant closer evaluation. These may include:
We also evaluate lymph nodes, jaw movement, and the soft tissues of the throat to ensure nothing is overlooked.
While anyone can develop oral cancer, certain factors increase risk, including:
Even without risk factors, regular screening is recommended, as many patients diagnosed have no identifiable cause.
Your screening is completed as part of your routine dental examination and includes two key components:
1. Visual Examination
We carefully inspect the:
We check for color changes, texture irregularities, swelling, and asymmetry.
2. Physical Palpation
We gently feel the tissues of the neck, jawline, and lymph nodes to evaluate firmness, tenderness, or unusual masses.
This thorough, systematic approach allows us to identify abnormalities early — often before you notice anything yourself.
Depending on findings and your individual risk level, we may use enhanced diagnostic tools such as:
These tools highlight changes in soft tissue that may not be visible under normal lighting.
If we identify any suspicious areas, we take a clear and structured approach:
Finding something abnormal does not mean cancer — many lesions are benign — but timely investigation is crucial.
While screenings are essential, you can also help lower your risk by:
Awareness and regular visits are your best defense.
No — it is completely painless and takes only a few minutes.
Every 6 months during your routine dental visit, or more frequently if you have higher risk factors.
Most screenings are included as part of standard preventive exams. We can verify based on your plan.
Yes — which is why regular professional screenings are critical.
Screenings are recommended for adults of all ages, especially those over 18.