Do General Dentists Perform Oral Cancer Examinations?

When thinking about the diagnosis of cancer, general dentists are typically not the first type of doctor to come to mind. However, these professionals can be the first step to diagnosing and treating oral cancer that may be missed without regular dental visits. With routine dental care, a patient can be proactive in the prevention of multiple types of oral cancer.

General dentists and oral cancer

Dentistry focuses on oral health, and this includes more than checking the teeth for tartar or cavities. Thorough oral exam performed by general dentists can be useful for cancer prevention.

What types of oral cancer can be diagnosed in the dental chair?

Oral cancer is typically classified into two categories: cancers of the oral cavity and cancers of the oropharynx region. Cancers that attack the oral cavity can be located inside the cheeks or lips, around the teeth, along the gumline or on the roof or floor of the mouth. If affected, the front half of the tongue is also classified as an oral cavity cancer.

 On the other hand, oropharynx is the medical term that describes the mouth and throat region of the body. Cancers of this region affect the back portion of the tongue, the tonsils or adenoid glands and the back of the throat.

What are symptoms of oral cancer?

Much like family practitioners, general dentists collect patient history with each visit to the clinic. This history includes any symptoms that concern a patient. Symptoms of oral cancer vary dependent upon the type of cancer and can sometimes be hard to distinguish from other common ailments. While common with conditions like strep throat, symptoms like irritation of the throat or soreness with swallowing can be a sign of underlining malignancy. These are other symptoms that should be addressed with a dentist:

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Changes in the way the teeth fit inside the mouth
• Pain or numbness of the soft tissue of the mouth

How does the dentist check for cancer?

During patient visits, general dentists conduct oral exams, looking in all areas of the mouth for any abnormalities. The exam can also include checking the back of the throat or under the tongue for lesions. Along with inside the mouth, the dentist feels along the jawline for any unusual bumps to rule out cancers that affect the bones of the face.

If any abnormalities are noted, the dentist may recommend monitoring and rechecking any lesions at a follow-up visit or may suggest taking a biopsy sample of the lesion. Diagnosis and treatment can vary based on dentist comfort, patient expectations, and the type of cancer diagnosed.

Conclusion

Oral cancers can be detected early during a routine dental exam. Patients should discuss with the dentist any new concerns they have, even if these concerns do not specifically deal with teeth. Using history provided by the patient and the oral examination, general dentists can be at the forefront of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common oral cancers.

Request an appointment here: https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com or call Casas Adobes Dentistry at (520) 365-0559 for an appointment in our Tucson office.