An important thing to remember about being a patient at Aria Dental is that caring for your teeth is only part of our job. Our concern is for your overall oral health, which includes checking for signs of oral cancer. That’s why an oral cancer screening is part of every dental checkup at Aria Dental of Annapolis.
General & Preventative Dentistry
When one of our dental hygienists is examining your mouth prior to cleaning, among the things she or he will look for are indications of possible cancer on the lips, gums, inner cheeks, surface and underside of the tongue, and the roof and floor of the mouth. Among the possible warning signs a hygienist looks for are red or white patches, sores that bleed easily or refuse to heal, thick or hard spots, lumps, and areas that have become rough or encrusted. Sometimes, a change in the way your teeth meet when you bite down may be an indicator.
The thing to keep in mind is that any irregularities we find are only indications that you might have an oral malignancy — not a diagnosis. Neither a hygienist nor a dentist can diagnose oral cancer, so the simple finding of a concerning situation is no cause for alarm. A dentist might have a patient come back after a couple of weeks to see how the problem area is doing. A dental colleague or medical doctor may be brought in for a second opinion. Based on that consultation, a biopsy might be performed — a biopsy is the only way to rule cancer in or out. Throughout the process, Dr. Daniel will review all of your options in detail so you can make fully-informed decisions about your care.
You don't need a separate appointment. An oral cancer screening is performed as part of every routine exam at Aria Dental at no additional charge.
Oral cancer has a significantly higher survival rate when caught early. A quick visual exam during your regular visit is one of the most important screenings you can have.
We don't just check your teeth — we examine your lips, gums, tongue, throat, and surrounding tissues to give you a thorough picture of your overall oral health.
Because oral cancer screenings are included in every routine exam at Aria Dental of Annapolis, every patient receives one automatically. However, patients who use tobacco products in any form, drink alcohol heavily, have a history of significant sun exposure, or have a prior history of oral cancer are at higher risk and should be especially diligent about attending regular checkups. There are also additional signs of oral cancer that might not be obvious to your hygienist or dentist. If you experience numbness, pain or tenderness, or trouble chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue or jaw, make sure you bring it up at your next visit — or call us sooner.
Why Choose Us
At Aria Dental of Annapolis, Dr. Nicholas Daniel and Dr. Lisa Daniel have built a practice around one simple belief: every patient deserves to feel like a person, not an appointment. From routine cleanings to full-mouth restorations, you get honest, thorough care from a team that knows your name.
The screening is quick — typically just a few minutes as part of your routine exam. Your hygienist will perform the visual examination before cleaning, and Dr. Daniel will follow up with his own assessment. No special preparation is needed on your part.
The most significant risk factors include tobacco use in any form (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff), heavy alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure to the lips, and infection with certain strains of HPV. Age and gender are also factors — oral cancer is more common in people over 40 and in men. However, oral cancer can occur in anyone, which is why routine screening matters for all patients.
No. The screening is entirely non-invasive and painless. Your hygienist will look at and feel the tissues in and around your mouth — there is no discomfort involved in a standard visual screening.
Call us right away. If you notice a sore that hasn't healed after two weeks, a lump, a red or white patch, difficulty swallowing, or any other change in your mouth or throat, don't wait for your next scheduled visit. Early evaluation is always the right move.
When detected early, oral cancer has a much higher rate of successful treatment. The five-year survival rate for localized oral cancer (caught before it spreads) is significantly higher than for cancer caught at later stages. This is exactly why routine screenings at every dental visit are so valuable.
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