{"id":14391,"date":"2024-04-02T17:05:21","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T17:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/?p=14391"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:39:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:39:22","slug":"oral-cancer-screening-start-to-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/2024\/04\/02\/oral-cancer-screening-start-to-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"From Beginning to End: What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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According to the American Cancer Society, as of 2024, there are an estimated 58,450 cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in the United States. These numbers may largely be attributed to risky lifestyle habits and behaviors (i.e., smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, HPV, etc.); however, some basic demographic factors may also be to blame (i.e., men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women). Since early detection is essential for a higher survival rate, read on to discover the importance of oral cancer screenings<\/a> and how they are performed by a qualified dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Perform Oral Cancer Screenings During a Dental Checkup?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many dentists incorporate oral cancer screenings into patients\u2019 regular dental checkups because of how quick and easy they are to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a preventive solution that is designed to detect the earliest signs of oral cancer, dentists strongly encourage patients to maintain regular six-month exams and cleanings so that these screenings can also be performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reality is that oral cancer does not discriminate based on age, sex, or ethnicity. It can develop in anyone at any time, and many of the symptoms are dismissed or overlooked. However, dentists are trained to spot potentially problematic areas of the mouth and throat that might point to oral cancer. They are essentially a patient\u2019s first line of defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Normal Symptoms of Oral Cancer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common symptoms associated with oral cancer include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n