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oral cancer screenings

Treatment is only as valuable as early detection. A five-minute oral cancer screening can make all the difference.

 
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What is an oral cancer screening and why is it important?

A five-minute oral cancer screening may help identify possible mouth cancer before it has a chance to spread to surrounding tissues. During the screening, your dentist thoroughly checks all tissues inside the whole mouth, including the gums, tongue, and cheeks.

 

Early detection has a significantly higher survival rate. All told, 85% of people diagnosed with early-stage oral cancer are still alive five years later. But about half of oral cancers aren’t diagnosed until the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. Diagnosis at this stage is harder to treat, and the overall five-year survival rate drops to 67%. Prevention, screening, and early treatment are crucial to increasing survival rate.

two dentists standing on each side of red and white ribbon.
 

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

 

Oral cancer has a significantly higher survival rate when detected early, and while oral cancer screenings are effective for treatment, that’s not the case for most patients.

 

Certain lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, and sun exposure may increase the risk of developing mouth cancer. Research shows that about 75% to 90% of all oral cancers are associated with cigarette smoking.

 

Poor Diet

a beer mug filled with beer inside of a yellow circle.

Sun Exposure

a donut that has a piece bit off

Tobacco Use

a sun that is rising over the horizon

Alcohol Consumption

a lit cigratte bud inside of a yellow circle.
 
woman with glasses that is smiling.
 

What is oral cancer?

Dental cavities are bad news, but when it comes to preventative oral health they may be among the smaller concerns. Oral cancer refers to lesions that start in the mouth and may affect the gums, lips, tongue, palate, cheeks, or under the tongue. Most oral cancers develop in the thin, flat cells that form the lining of the mouth and throat. It is a serious dental problem, but early detection makes all the difference.

 

What does mouth cancer look like?
When we think about oral health, we mainly focus on our teeth, but here’s more to it than what meets the eye. Mouth cancer doesn’t always cause pain or show symptoms, especially in the early stages. Some possible signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:
 

  • A sore that doesn’t heal
  • A white or red patch on the inside of your mouth
  • A lump inside your mouth
  • Mouth pain that doesn’t go away
  • Trouble moving your tongue or jaw
  • Numbness inside your mouth
  • Loose teeth or pain around your teeth
  • A change in the way your dentures fit
a woman and her doctor going over the patient's dental history.
 
 

What to Expect at Your Oral Cancer Screening

The thought of going to your first oral cancer screening may be anxiety-provoking, but being prepared and knowing what will happen can help. Completed in less than five minutes, the main screening for oral cancer is a thorough visual examination of the inside of the mouth. Here’s what to expect.

Inside of the Cheeks

Your dentist will gently move your cheeks away from your teeth and gums. They’re checking for any unusual sores, textures, or colors.

Tongue

Stick your tongue out at your dentist. They’ll grip your tongue with a gauze and gently curl it to get a better look at the sides of your tongue – a common side for oral cancer.

Floor of the Mouth

The dentist will ask you to touch your palate with your tongue. This allows visual examination of the U-shaped area possible. Your dentist may press beneath your tongue to feel for lumps.

Roof of the Mouth

Tilt back your head and open wide. To examine the roof of the mouth, better known as the palate, your dentist checks for changes in color or ulcers.

Throat

Open wide and say “ahh.” Oral cancer may develop in the tonsils or throat. They may press down on the back of your tongue to get a better view.

 
 

Oral Cancer Screening Cost

The cost of an oral cancer screening varies. This examination generally costs around $70 to $90, depending on your location. Some dentists may offer an oral screening at no additional cost when you receive a regular dental examination. Other dentists may charge an extra fee of $10 to $35 for an annual screening. Talk to your dentist to learn how much you’ll be paying.

 
 
 

Book an Appointment Today

 

With early detection, oral cancer can be treated more successfully. Schedule an oral cancer screening and get ahead with preventative care.

 
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How often should you have an oral cancer screening?

The advice is comprehensive: regular oral cancer screenings. If it’s not at each dental visit, then annual oral cancer screenings are recommended, according to the American Dental Association. Talk to your dentist how often you should have an oral cancer screening.

 

Got questions?

 

If you have questions about oral cancer screening, we saved you the trouble and provided answers to commonly asked questions. Find your answers just a click away.

 
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A Dental Savings Plan is not insurance, which means you do not have to wait before receiving a service while insurance clears. Instead, a Dental Saving Plan is a membership program, which means you may get discounts from participating dentists for things like cleanings, x-rays, and a variety of other services.

 First, a Periodontist is a Dentist. However, Periodontal Specialists diagnose, prevent and treat periodontitis, receding gums, inflammation, tooth loss (dental implants), and other chronic tissue loss of the teeth. Further, a Periodontist completed an additional three (3) years of training after graduating from dental school.

Smile Generation Dental Plan offers significant discounts on dentistry. Since it is not insurance, there are no deductible or annual maximums. Dental plan members pay an annual fee up front rather than monthly premiums like traditional dental insurance. There are also no waiting periods with dental plans so you can get the treatment you need immediately.

Yes. One of the most extraordinary things about the Smile Generation Dental Plan and private dental insurance is that it does not have to be an either/or proposition. Instead, they can work together to reduce your overall cost of dental treatment. Smile Generation Dental Plan supplements private dental

insurance. Some people use the dental plan to reduce out-of-pocket costs if they need treatment while waiting for their coverage to begin. Others use it to discount cosmetic treatments, which are not covered by most dental insurance. Some members get the most out of their dental insurance

benefits by applying the discounted dental plan fee against the annual maximum amount.

Applying for a Smile Generation Dental Plan is easy! Visit www.smilegenerationdentalplan.com from the comfort of your home, and you can purchase your plan right there. If you prefer a personal touch, feel free to give us a call at 1-855-935-5365, and our friendly team will assist you. Alternatively, you can drop by a local Smile Generation-Trusted office if that's more convenient for you.

Absolutely! Adding family members to your plan is simple and convenient. You have a few options to choose from: you can discuss it during your next visit to your Smile Generation- Trusted office, give us a call at 1-855-935-5365, or if you prefer online access, you can log in to your secure Member Portal and head to the "My Account" page. We're here to make it easy for you, so go with the option that works best for you and your family. 

 

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Sources

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Oral Cancer Screening: What You Can Expect. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/oral-cancer-screening/about/pac-20394802

Dentistry IQ. (n.d.). 10 Steps to Perform an Oral Cancer Screening. https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/oral-cancer/article/16350620/10-steps-to-perform-an-oral-cancer-screening

Colgate. (n.d.). Oral Cancer Screening: What to Expect. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cancer/oral-cancer-screening-what-to-expect

WebMD. (n.d.). Oral Cancer Screening: What to Expect. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/oral-cancer-screening