Oral Cancer Self-Examination – A Must!

When you come for your regular recall appointments, we always keep a keen eye for telltale signs of irregularities that could lead to oral cancer. We use a thorough screening system to detect changes to your mouth and lips even before they are visible. But we want to make sure you know that you can play an effective role in early detection too.

As part of your home care routine, do a self-check every month (pick your favorite number of the month and always do it on that day). Here’s what to look for and how to perform an oral cancer self-examination between dental visits…

1. Face – Any swelling that is unusual? Check your skin for new irregularities.
2. Neck – Feel for swelling by running your fingers along both sides of your neck and under your jaw.
3. Lips – Pull your upper and lower lips out to look inside for discoloration or sores that aren’t healing.
4. Gums – Look and feel your gums for anything unusual.
5. Cheeks – Any lumps, bumps, red or white patches, or tenderness?
6. Tongue – On top and underneath, look for ulcers, lumps, or tenderness.
7. Mouth Floor & Roof – Any changes? Discoloration? Swelling?

Remember … 2 minutes can save your life. If you find anything out of the ordinary, give us a call and we’ll get you in quickly for an assessment.