When you go to the dentist, one of the most important things they will do is a head and neck exam. This is a vital part of your dental care as it checks for oral cancer. In this blog post, we will discuss what a head and neck exam at the dentist entails, and why it is so important!

What is a Head and Neck Exam?

During a head and neck exam, your dentist will look for any signs of oral cancer. This includes checking the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth for any abnormalities. They will also check your throat for any lumps or masses. If they find anything abnormal, they will order further testing to determine if it is cancerous.

What Does Oral Cancer Include?

Oral cancer can include any type of cancer that affects the mouth cavity or oropharynx. The mouth cavity includes the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth. The oropharynx includes the throat and tonsils.

Symptoms

There are several signs of oral cancer that you should watch for. Some of the most common signs include:

• Sores or lesions on the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, or roof of the mouth
• A lump or mass in the throat
• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness or a change in your voice
• Persistent bad breath

What to Expect at Your Appointment

During an mouth cancer screening exam, your dentist looks over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. Using gloved hands, your dentist also feels the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities. The dentist may also examine your throat and neck for lumps.

Additional tests

Some dentists use special tests in addition to the oral exam to screen for mouth cancer. It’s not clear if these tests offer any additional benefit over the oral exam. Special tests may involve:

• Screening dye. Rinsing your mouth with a special blue dye before an exam. Abnormal cells in your mouth may take up the dye and appear blue.
• Screening light. Shining a light in your mouth during an exam. The light makes healthy tissue appear dark and makes abnormal tissue appear white.

Risks of Developing Oral Cancer

You’re at increased risk of mouth cancers if you:

• Use tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and using smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco) all increase your risk of oral cancer.
• Are exposed to secondhand smoke. If you live or work with someone who smokes, you have an increased risk of developing oral cancer.
• Drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases your risk of oral cancer, especially if you drink heavy amounts or drink wine or hard liquor.
• Are over age 55. Oral cancer is more common in people over age 55.
• Have a family history of oral cancer. If one of your parents or siblings has had the disease, you have an increased risk of developing the disease.
• Have a history of HPV infection. If you’ve had HPV, you’re at increased risk of the disease

How Can I Prevent Mouth Cancer?

The best way to work to prevent mouth cancers cancer is to:

• Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products.
• Drink alcohol in moderation. (Don’t binge drink.)
• Eat a well-balanced diet, especially with vegetables containing vitamin A.
• Limit your exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer on the lip, especially the lower lip. When in the sun, use UV-A/B-blocking sun protective lotions on your skin as well as your lips.
• Because there is a link with the HPV virus, young people engaging in oral sex have a higher risk of developing mouth cancer.
• Avoid using marijuana.

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry in Broomfield, CO

Oral cancer screenings are an important part of maintaining your dental and overall health. If you have any concerns about cancer or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Mountain Aire Dentistry today. Call us now to make an appointment!