Did you know that your dental exams include an oral cancer screening? We’ll check your lips, gums, tongue, jaw, and the inside of your mouth for any abnormalities that could potentially be cancerous. Because this disease is easiest to treat in its early stages, every adult over 40 should get screened at least once a year.
What Are the Risk Factors for Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer. It is typically divided into oral cavity cancer, which starts in the mouth, and oropharyngeal cancer, which starts in the throat. These cancers can affect the lips, tongue, lining of the cheeks, upper and lower jaw, roof of the mouth, tonsils, and throat.
Age is the main risk factor. Oral cancer is most common in people over the age of 64, but 20% of cases occur in people younger than 55. While the exact causes of oral cancer are unknown, several other factors are known to increase the risk as well.
Risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Using tobacco and/or alcohol
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables
- Extended sunlight exposure
- HPV infections
You can reduce your risk of developing oral cancer by:
- Quitting tobacco and drinking alcohol only in moderation
- Eating a diet that’s rich in antioxidants to neutralize free radicals
- Protecting your lips and face from sunlight with SPF 30 lip balm and sunscreen, wearing a hat, sticking to the shade, and avoiding peak sunlight hours when possible
- Getting the HPV vaccine
Why We Screen for Oral Cancer
In 2026, an estimated 60,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer. As with most cancers, the survival rate is higher the sooner it’s diagnosed and treated.
A professional oral cancer screening is quick, simple, and non-invasive. During your routine exam, we look and feel around your mouth for any lesions or abnormalities on the lining of your cheeks, floor and roof of your mouth, as well as your gums, lips, tongue, and tonsils. We may also use dyes to highlight suspicious lesions or a fluorescent light to spot abnormal tissue.
If we find anything that could indicate cancer, we’ll use a specialized brush to gather a tissue sample and refer you to an oncologist for further testing and diagnosis.
Can You Screen for Oral Cancer at Home?
While we encourage you to check your mouth between dental appointments, our advanced training allows us to catch any signs you might miss. Don’t assume you can skip your checkups and just screen yourself.
It’s really hard to see inside your own mouth, but here’s how to do a self-screening at home:
- Check your face for any unexplained swelling, new moles, or changes in your skin.
- Feel along your jaw for swelling or lumps.
- Feel your gums for bumps or pain.
- Feel your lips for lumps or changes in texture.
- Look inside your mouth for sores or changes in color—make sure to pull your bottom lip down and upper lip up so you see them properly. Pull your cheeks to the side to inspect for red or white patches, ulcers, or lumps.
- Check your tongue for swelling, ulcers, or color changes.
- Gently feel the bottom and roof of your mouth for swelling, pain, lumps, or ulcers.
If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait to schedule a dental exam. It’s most likely something minor, but an oral cancer screening wouldn’t hurt.
Schedule a Dental Checkup in Flagstaff
Are you due for your next dental checkup? Contact Country Club Dental in Flagstaff to schedule an appointment. During the exam we’ll check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other oral health concerns. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have about your dental health or oral cancer. We look forward to seeing you!
Photo by Alan Morales on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 5/14/26.
