Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screening is a quick, painless part of your routine visit — and one of the most important things we check for.

What the exam involves

Your dentist visually examines your mouth and feels your face, glands, and neck for anything unusual. We look closely for red patches or sores that won't heal, leukoplakia (hardened white or gray patches), and any lumps or thickening in the tissue of your mouth or throat.

Why screening matters

More than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and early detection makes an enormous difference in treatment success — oral cancer often shows no symptoms in its earliest, most treatable stages. About 75% of cases are linked to modifiable risk factors like smoking, tobacco use, and heavy alcohol consumption.

How often

We recommend a comprehensive oral cancer screening once a year, with an additional look at each of your regular check-up visits.

Content reviewed by Jamisen Kohlman, DMD — KoLa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Austin, TX.