Oral Cancer Screening Dentists Michigan

Each year, close to 60,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer. To help catch the condition before it progresses to an advanced stage, our West Michigan family dentists provide oral cancer screenings. This quick and painless visit is crucial to catching symptoms as soon as possible for more successful treatment.

Learn more about why screening for oral cancer is important below.

When Do I Need an Oral Cancer Screening?

While anyone can benefit from a mouth cancer screening, our local family dentists highly recommend them for people with higher risk factors. These include:

  • Patients who are 40+
  • Individuals with a family history of oral cancer
  • Tobacco users (including smoking and smokeless forms)
  • Those who drink alcohol excessively
  • Prolonged sun exposure without lip protection
  • HPV infection (a growing cause of oral cancers)
  • Men (more common than it is for women)

Even if you feel fine, early signs of oral cancer often go unnoticed without a professional exam. That’s why regular screenings are key: they can catch potential problems early, when they’re most treatable.

What Are Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

Regularly keeping tabs on the state of your teeth and gums is important because if there’s an issue of concern, you’re more likely to notice. Fortunately, when oral cancer is detected early, it is much easier to treat so learning to spot the warning signs is an invaluable skill.

For example, oral cancer can show up as:

  • Red or white patches in mouth
  • Sores in mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • A change in how dentures fit
  • Difficulty or painful eating
  • Sore throat

If you notice any of the signs above, schedule a professional oral cancer screening with one of our offices as soon as possible. During your visit, our dentists will examine the inside of your mouth and feel for lumps, thickened skin, or other abnormalities.

Certain lifestyle choices will increase your chances of an oral cancer diagnosis, so it’s important you share an accurate medical history with our dentists so they can identify key risk factors.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Our family dentists serving West Michigan are here to help you stay healthy with preventive oral cancer screenings. Call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations down below to schedule an appointment to get started today!

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