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Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer checks

Regular oral cancer screening is an essential part of your ongoing health checks. As with many conditions, early detection is key to improving success and treatment.

The good news is that oral cancer is readily diagnosed when screened regularly. Oral cancer checks are a quick and easy, non-invasive assessment for peace of mind.

At Bite Dental Studios, we offer oral cancer checks as part of your regular dental check-ups.

What is involved in oral cancer screening

As part of your regular dental check up at Bite Dental Studios, your dentist will perform the following non-invasive checks, which usually take just minutes to carry out:

  • Check your face neck, lips and mouth for any obvious abnormalities or subtle signs
  • Feel for any lumps underneath your jaw, in your neck, or in the floor of your mouth
  • Check your lips, cheeks and tongue for discolouration, sores or swelling
  • Check the roof and floor of your mouth
  • Check the back of your throat

If any abnormalities are suspected, your dentist will usually recommend a biopsy, or refer you to a specialist.

 

Signs of oral cancer – things to be alert for

Some of the early signs of oral cancer can include:

  • Lumps or thickened areas in the cheek
  • A mouth sore or lesion that does not heal within two weeks
  • Discoloured (white or red) patches inside your mouth
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue
  • Numbness in your mouth or tongue
  • Chronic sore throat, hoarseness or feeling like something is stuck in your throat
  • Swelling of the jaw or dentures that suddenly don’t fit or suddenly become uncomfortable.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you speak with your Bite Dental dentist and book in for an examination.

Find some of the more common questions below and click to see an answer.

Oral cancer can be diagnosed by a dentist through a visual and physical examination of the mouth, throat, and neck, including palpation of the lymph nodes. A biopsy of any suspicious tissue may be necessary to confirm the presence of cancer cells. Some dentists also use advanced technology, such as fluorescence and light-based detection systems, to aid in the early detection of oral cancer.

The first stage of mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is called stage 1. At this stage, the cancer is small and localized to the area where it first started, and has not spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body. The prognosis for stage 1 mouth cancer is generally good, with a high chance of successful treatment and recovery if detected and treated early.

In Australia, it is generally recommended to get an oral cancer screening during your routine dental check-up, which is typically every six months. However, the frequency of oral cancer screenings may vary depending on your individual risk factors, such as age, tobacco and alcohol use, and family history of oral cancer. Your dentist at Bite Dental can provide you with a personalized recommendation for how often you should get screened for oral cancer based on your specific needs.

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Book your oral cancer screening and general dental check up

Book an appointment with our expert and dedicated dentistry team at Bite Dental today. If you’re a new patient, you can take advantage of our new patient offer – including a 1 hour consultation with a dentist, a full check up exam and any necessary x-rays. All of our regular dental check ups at Bite Dental include an oral cancer check.

Or call us on 07 3221 5399