Oral Cancer Exams in Salida, CO

At Relaxation Dental, we provide comprehensive oral cancer exams to screen for any signs of abnormal tissue, ensuring your peace of mind and long-term health.

Regular screenings can detect early-stage oral cancer, allowing for timely treatment and better outcomes. If you have risk factors such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, or a family history of cancer, scheduling routine oral cancer exams is especially important.

What Is an Oral Cancer Exam?

An oral cancer exam is a quick, painless screening where we check for any unusual sores, lumps, or discoloration in the mouth, throat, and surrounding areas.

This exam is included in routine dental checkups at Relaxation Dental, ensuring that any early warning signs don’t go unnoticed.

Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer

If you notice any of the following persistent symptoms, schedule an exam right away:

• Mouth sores that don’t heal within two weeks
• Red or white patches inside the mouth or on the tongue
• Lumps, swelling, or thickened tissue in the mouth or throat
• Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Numbness in the lips, tongue, or other areas of the mouth

Early detection can save lives, so don’t ignore unusual oral changes.

What to Expect During Your Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screenings at Relaxation Dental are simple, fast, and non-invasive.

Step 1: Visual & Physical Examination

• We carefully examine the lips, tongue, gums, throat, and cheeks for any abnormalities.
• We check for discoloration, lesions, or unusual tissue growths.

Step 2: VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening (If Needed)

• Uses fluorescence light technology to detect hidden tissue abnormalities.
• Identifies precancerous and cancerous changes that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
• Quick, painless, and highly effective.

Step 3: Biopsy Referral (If Necessary)

• If we detect any suspicious areas, we may recommend a biopsy for further analysis.
• Early detection increases the likelihood of successful treatment.

This painless, life-saving screening only takes a few minutes but can make a huge difference in your health.

Who Should Get an Oral Cancer Exam?

Oral cancer screenings are recommended for everyone, but certain individuals may be at higher risk.

High-Risk Factors Include:

• Tobacco use (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, vaping)
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection
• Excessive sun exposure (which can increase the risk of lip cancer)
• Family history of oral cancer

Even if you have no symptoms or risk factors, an annual screening is an important part of your oral health routine.

Preventing Oral Cancer

While not all cases of oral cancer are preventable, you can lower your risk by:

• Avoiding tobacco products
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Using lip balm with SPF to protect against sun exposure
• Practicing good oral hygiene
• Getting regular dental checkups for early detection

By making healthy lifestyle choices and scheduling routine screenings, you can greatly reduce your risk of oral cancer.