Why Oral Cancer Screenings Matter

When you visit your periodontist or dentist, you expect care for your gums, bone, and any restorative needs like dental implants in Portsmouth or even a tooth implant in Portsmouth. But one sometimes overlooked—but vitally important—component of a comprehensive exam is the oral cancer screening. Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes, often making the difference between a straightforward cure and extensive therapy.

Oral cancer affects thousands of people each year. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 54,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancers of the oral cavity or oropharynx in a recent year. Early-stage lesions often are asymptomatic or hidden, which means that without screening, they may go undetected until cancer advances.

How Screenings Are Done

A thorough oral cancer screening is noninvasive and efficient. During a regular check-up, your periodontist or dentist will visually and manually examine all soft tissues in your mouth, including:

• Lips, cheeks, gums
• Tongue (top, underside, sides)
• Floor and roof of the mouth
• Throat, tonsil area, and neck for lumps

In addition, adjunctive tools such as fluorescent light devices (e.g., oral-auto fluorescence) can help highlight subtle tissue changes invisible to the naked eye. These devices enhance the standard exam without discomfort.

Screening is quick—only a few minutes—but the benefits are lasting.

Risk Factors & Early Warning Signs

Everyone deserves regular screening, but certain risk factors elevate the need:

• Tobacco use (smoking or chewing)
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Prolonged sun exposure to lips
• A history of oral pre-cancerous lesions

Signs you should not ignore include:

• A sore or ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than two weeks
• White or red patches (leukoplakia or erythroplakia)
• Persistent numbness, pain, or tingling
• Thickened or rough areas inside the mouth or along the gums
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• A lump in the neck or under the jaw

If you notice anything unusual, contact your dental provider promptly for evaluation.

Integration with Restorative & Periodontal Care

At Coastal Periodontics, we combine periodontal expertise with advanced reconstructive options—including implants in Portsmouth and gum treatments. While many patients come in because they’re seeking dental implants in Portsmouth or have reviewed their tooth implant Portsmouth options, we also prioritize foundational health and disease prevention, including gum disease, periodontal disease, and oral pathology.

For patients preparing for an implant procedure, ensuring healthy soft tissues is critical. A hidden lesion or abnormal tissue left unchecked could interfere with healing or disrupt implant success. Thus, oral cancer screening is not optional—it’s fundamental care for every patient.

Benefits of Regular Screenings

1. Early Detection Saves Lives – When oral cancer is found early (stage I or II), the 5-year survival rate is about 84 %, but it drops significantly at later stages.
2. Less Invasive Treatment – Smaller lesions often require only local surgical excision rather than radical surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
3. Preservation of Function & Aesthetics – Early intervention helps maintain speech, swallowing, facial structure, and appearance.
4. Peace of Mind – Knowing you’ve had a thorough exam reduces anxiety about uncertainties.

How Often Should You Be Screened?

As a standard of care, most dental professionals recommend an oral cancer screening at every comprehensive dental or periodontal exam—usually every six months to one year. More frequent screening may be warranted if you have high-risk factors or a history of lesions.

What You Can Do Between Visits

• Perform a self-check monthly, reviewing lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, and throat for lumps or discoloration
• Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol use
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene to reduce chronic irritation
• Stay aware of any new symptoms, and report them promptly

Schedule Your Screening at Coastal Periodontics

Early detection is your best defense. If you’ve been thinking about implants in Portsmouth or a tooth implant in Portsmouth, or if you simply want to prioritize prevention, we encourage you to schedule an appointment. You can schedule an appointment on our website.

Your periodontal health and overall well-being deserve proactive care—regular oral cancer screening is one vital piece of that.