{"id":1675,"date":"2024-04-12T19:50:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T19:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.micheldental.com\/blog\/?p=1675"},"modified":"2024-05-23T19:52:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T19:52:55","slug":"dentist-conducts-oral-cancer-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.micheldental.com\/blog\/2024\/04\/12\/dentist-conducts-oral-cancer-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does My Dentist Check for Oral Cancer?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Dentist<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Did you know that dentists regularly screen their patients for oral cancer<\/a>? While thankfully rare, oral cancers are quite dangerous and are best caught early to prevent major health problems. It only takes a few moments for your dentist to check for oral cancer, so you probably won\u2019t even notice that they are doing it during your routine exams and cleanings. Here\u2019s a brief guide to how your dentist checks their patients\u2019 soft tissues for abnormalities so that they can save lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Does My Dentist Screen for Oral Cancer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While your dentist is probably not equipped to treat cancer, they are the medical professional that spends the most time inspecting patients\u2019 mouths. Since everyone is supposed to see their dentist at least twice a year for routine exams and cleanings, dentists are able to detect oral cancer-related problems in their early stages and refer patients to specialists if needed. Oral cancer screenings do not take much time, so having them as regular parts of routine dental exams is a practical precaution that has saved many lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does My Dentist Screen for Oral Cancer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During your routine dental exam, your dentist will visually inspect the soft tissues in your mouth and may also use gloved fingers to probe at your tissues or feel around your throat and neck for any abnormalities. You may be referred to a specialist if they find issues like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n