The lining of the oral cavity, including your lips and tongue, is covered by various types of specialized skin. This tissue covers the bone and surrounds the teeth. This specialized skin is susceptible to a variety of diseases. These pathologic changes may present as hard lumps, soft lumps, ulcers, red tissue, white tissue or changes visible only on x-ray. While many of these changes may be meaningless, others could be life threatening. We can evaluate your soft tissue for any of these changes. Early diagnosis and treatment could save your life.
A soft tissue screening exam is part of all our routine evaluations. We also provide evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of these changes following a referral from your physician or dentist.
Oral cancer
Because the mouth is a region where changes can be easily seen, oral cancer can be detected in its early stages. Performing a self-examination regularly will help in the early recognition and detection of oral cancer, and increase the chance for cure.
Factors That May Cause Cancer:
Research has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral cancer. The most common are the use of tobacco and alcohol. Others include poor oral hygiene, irritation caused by ill-fitting dentures and rough surfaces on teeth, poor nutrition, some chronic infections and combinations of these factors.
Studies have shown that the death rate from oral cancer is about four times higher for cigarette smokers than for nonsmokers. It is also widely believed in the medical field that the heat generated by smoking pipes and cigars irritates the mouth and can lead to lip cancer.
Those at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer are over 40 years of age, heavy drinkers and smokers, or users of smokeless tobacco, including snuff.
Perform a Self-Exam Monthly
Dentists recommend that everyone perform an oral cancer self-exam each month. If you are at high risk for oral cancer — smoker, consumer of alcohol, user of smokeless tobacco, or snuff — you should see your dentist or periodontist for an annual exam.
An oral examination is performed using a bright light and a mirror.
✓ remove any dentures
✓ look and feel inside the lips and the front of gums
✓ tilt head back to inspect and feel the roof of your mouth
✓ pull the cheek out to see its inside surface as well as the back of the gums
✓ pull out your tongue and look at all of its surfaces
✓ feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in both sides of the neck including under the lower jaw
Early Detection and Treatment Provide a Better Chance for Cure!
When performing an oral cancer self-examination, look for the following:
✓ white patches of the oral tissues — leukoplakia
✓ red patches — erythroplakia
✓ red and white patches — erythroleukoplakia
✓ a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
✓ an abnormal lump or thickening of the tissues of the mouth
✓ chronic sore throat or hoarseness
✓ difficulty in chewing or swallowing
✓ a mass or lump in the neck
See your dentist or periodontist if you have any of these signs. If your doctor agrees that something looks suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended.
A Word About Oral Care:
Keep in mind that your mouth is one of your body’s most important early warning systems. Don’t ignore any suspicious lumps or sores. Should you discover something, make an appointment for a prompt examination. Early treatment may well be the key to complete recovery.