An oral cancer screening is a thorough examination of your mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues to detect signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. Dr. Hickson checks your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, throat, and neck for unusual lumps, sores, discoloration, or other abnormalities. Early detection significantly improves treatment success and survival rates.

We recommend oral cancer screenings as part of your regular dental checkups, typically every six months. However, patients with higher risk factors such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, or a history of oral cancer may benefit from more frequent screenings. We'll recommend a schedule based on your individual risk profile.

Dr. Hickson will visually examine all areas of your mouth and throat, looking for red or white patches, sores that don't heal, or unusual tissue changes. We'll feel your neck and jaw for lumps or abnormalities. The screening is quick, painless, and typically takes just a few minutes as part of your regular dental exam.

Warning signs include sores that don't heal within two weeks, persistent lumps or thickening in the mouth, white or red patches, difficulty swallowing or chewing, persistent sore throat or hoarseness, numbness in the mouth, and unexplained bleeding. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact us immediately for an evaluation.

Risk factors include tobacco use (smoking or chewing), heavy alcohol consumption, HPV infection, excessive sun exposure to the lips, age over 40, a family history of cancer, and a weakened immune system. However, oral cancer can affect anyone, which is why regular screenings are important for all patients regardless of risk factors.

No, oral cancer screenings are completely painless. Dr. Hickson will simply look at and gently feel different areas of your mouth and neck. The examination is non-invasive and typically takes only a few minutes. If we find anything that needs further evaluation, we'll discuss next steps with you.

If Dr. Hickson finds an area of concern, we may monitor it for changes or recommend a biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Not all abnormalities are cancerous - many are benign or related to infection or injury. If a biopsy is needed, we'll refer you to a specialist and coordinate your care to ensure you receive prompt, appropriate treatment.

While not all oral cancers can be prevented, you can significantly reduce your risk by avoiding tobacco in all forms, limiting alcohol consumption, protecting your lips from sun exposure with SPF lip balm, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Regular screenings help catch any problems early when they're most treatable.

When oral cancer is detected early, treatment is often more successful with better outcomes and fewer complications. The five-year survival rate for oral cancer detected in early stages is significantly higher than for advanced cases. Regular screenings with Dr. Hickson give you the best chance of catching any problems when they're most treatable.

Oral cancer screenings are typically included as part of your regular dental examination, which is usually covered by dental insurance as preventive care. Some medical insurance plans may also provide coverage. Our team will verify your benefits and help you understand your coverage.

Yes, monthly self-examinations between dental visits are a good practice. Look for any changes in your mouth, unusual sores, lumps, or discoloration. Dr. Hickson can show you how to perform a thorough self-exam. However, self-exams don't replace professional screenings, as we can detect subtle changes you might miss.

Contact us immediately if you notice any persistent sores, lumps, white or red patches, or other changes in your mouth that last more than two weeks. While most oral abnormalities aren't cancer, it's always better to have them evaluated promptly. Dr. Hickson can examine the area and determine if further testing is needed.