An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless exam that can reveal early warning signs of serious disease. At Cary Family Dental in Cary, IL, this screening is part of routine preventive care to protect your overall health—not just your teeth and gums. Contact our office today to learn more and schedule your next visit with us.
During an oral cancer screening, your dentist checks your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, and gum tissue for unusual changes. The goal is to spot abnormalities early, when treatment is most effective. The exam takes only a few minutes and is often completed during regular checkups.
If anything appears suspicious, we may recommend monitoring the area or refer you for further evaluation.
Oral cancer often develops without pain or obvious symptoms. Routine screenings during checkups help detect changes early. However, please get in touch with us if you develop any of the following symptoms:
Anyone can develop oral cancer, but certain factors increase risk. Tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, excessive sun exposure to the lips, and HPV infection are common contributors. Age can also play a role, as risk increases after 40. Even patients without these risk factors should receive regular screenings, since oral cancer can occur without warning.
While no method can guarantee prevention, healthy habits greatly reduce your risk. Avoid tobacco products, limit alcohol intake, use lip balm with SPF when outdoors, and maintain good oral hygiene. Regular dental visits are also essential because screenings can detect early changes before noticeable symptoms appear.
Most patients receive an oral cancer screening during routine dental checkups, typically every six months. If you have higher risk factors, our Cary dental team may recommend more frequent monitoring to ensure any changes are identified as early as possible.
Bryan T.
“My family of six has used Cary Family Dental for OVER SEVEN YEARS. Dr. Patel is extremely professional, as is his entire staff. Emily, one of the lead hygienists, is fantastic. Expect top-notch cleanliness along with an ultra modern facility. He is on the cutting-edge of new dental technology. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.”
Gerard R.
“It is always a pleasant time to visit Cary Family Dental. All the young ladies are smiling and do not ever appear to have a bad day. It seems like a great place to work. Dr. Patel has done a tremendous job on my new teeth and has restored my smile. Thank you.”
Linsay A
“Dr. Patel is extremely professional and very friendly. He really gets to know you and your family and cares about your needs. The staff and dental hygienists are so wonderful and very gentle with your mouth. I just moved to Cary recently. I was worried about having a new dentist, but Cary Family Dental made us feel right at home. We are so thankful we found them!”
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