Here’s something most people don’t realize until they’re sitting in the dental chair: your dentist does more than check for cavities. During your regular cleaning and exam, Dr. Thomas Prendergast is also looking for something most patients never think about. Something that has nothing to do with tooth pain or gum sensitivity. Something that could save your life. We’re talking about oral cancer screening.
It Takes Less Than Two Minutes
Let’s get one thing out of the way right now. An oral cancer screening isn’t scary. It isn’t painful. And it doesn’t require any special preparation on your part.
While you’re reclined in the exam chair, Dr. Prendergast will carefully look at and gently feel the soft tissues inside your mouth. That includes your lips, cheeks, tongue, the floor of your mouth, and the roof of your mouth. He’ll also feel along your jaw and neck for any unusual lumps or swelling.
That’s it. The whole thing takes maybe two minutes.
You probably won’t even notice it happening during your regular checkup. But those two minutes matter more than most people realize.
Why This Screening Is So Important
Oral cancer is one of those conditions that doesn’t always announce itself loudly in the early stages. There might be no pain. No obvious signs that something is wrong. By the time a person notices a persistent sore or lump, the cancer has sometimes already progressed.
But when oral cancer is caught early? The five-year survival rate is dramatically higher.
That’s where your regular dental visit comes in. Dr. Prendergast knows what healthy tissue looks like and feels like. He also knows what doesn’t look quite right. That trained eye can spot subtle changes long before you ever would on your own.
Who Should Get Screened?
The short answer is everyone. Every adult benefits from regular oral cancer screenings, regardless of whether they use tobacco or drink alcohol.
That said, certain factors do increase risk. Tobacco use of any kind, such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, raises your chances significantly. Heavy alcohol use is another risk factor. And in recent years, dentists have seen a rise in oral cancers linked to HPV, which can affect otherwise healthy younger adults with no traditional risk factors.
The common thread? Regular screenings help catch problems early no matter your risk level.
What We’re Looking For
During your screening, Dr. Prendergast is watching for a few specific things:
- Red or white patches that don’t rub off
- Sores that bleed easily or don’t heal within two weeks
- Thickened areas or lumps
- Difficulty swallowing or moving your tongue
Most of the time, what we find turns out to be nothing concerning. Maybe a bite mark. Maybe a canker sore. Maybe an area of irritation from hot food.
But on the rare occasion when something does look suspicious, finding it early makes all the difference.
A Few Minutes Can Change Everything
That routine dental checkup you almost rescheduled because life got busy? It’s doing more than cleaning your teeth. It’s a genuine health screening that checks for something far more serious than cavities. At Infinity Dental, we don’t cut corners. Every comprehensive exam includes this screening because your health matters beyond just your smile. We treat our patients like neighbors, and neighbors look out for each other.
So the next time you’re in the chair and Dr. Prendergast takes those extra two minutes to examine your soft tissues, you’ll know why. It’s not just a formality. It’s a simple, quick, painless step that could save your life.
Have questions about what happens during a routine exam? Give us a call. We’re always happy to walk you through it.