Preventive care
Oral cancer screening.
A careful two-minute check that’s included with every comprehensive exam. The single best way to catch oral cancer is to find it early — and that’s what this screening is for.
Oral cancer is one of those conditions where early detection changes everything. Found in its earliest stage, the five-year survival rate is over 80 percent. Found late, after symptoms have forced a patient to look for help, the survival rate drops sharply. The screening at your dental visit exists to find it early.
You don’t need to think about oral cancer between visits. We think about it for you. Every comprehensive exam at this office includes a full visual and tactile screening of your lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, the floor of your mouth, and the lymph nodes in your neck. It takes about two minutes and adds nothing uncomfortable to your appointment.
Why it matters more after fifty
Most oral cancers are diagnosed in adults over the age of fifty. Risk increases with age, tobacco use (current or past), regular alcohol consumption, and HPV exposure. But the screening isn’t limited to high-risk patients — we screen every adult patient at every comprehensive exam. The cost of a two-minute check is nothing compared to what catching something early can mean.
What we look for
Dr. Agrawal looks for unusual patches of red or white tissue, sores that haven’t healed within two to three weeks, lumps or thickened areas in the cheek or floor of the mouth, and any tissue that looks or feels different from the area around it. He also checks the lymph nodes in your neck for any swelling or unusual firmness. If anything looks unusual, you’ll hear about it directly, and we’ll explain what the next step is.
Between visits, if you notice a sore that doesn’t heal in two to three weeks, a lump in your cheek or neck that wasn’t there before, persistent hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing — call us. These usually turn out to be nothing serious. But they’re also exactly the symptoms worth getting checked promptly.
Frequently asked
Screening — common questions.
Why does my dentist screen for oral cancer?
Because dentists see the inside of your mouth more often, and more thoroughly, than any other provider. The earliest signs of oral cancer — a small patch of unusual tissue, a sore that doesn't heal — are exactly the kind of thing a trained eye catches at a routine cleaning. Caught early, oral cancer has an excellent survival rate. Caught late, the outcomes are much worse.
Who should be screened?
Everyone, at every comprehensive exam. Risk is higher for adults over forty, current and former tobacco users, regular drinkers, and patients with a history of HPV exposure — but oral cancer can occur in any adult, including non-smokers. We screen every patient, every visit.
What are you looking for?
Unusual patches of red or white tissue, sores that haven't healed in two or three weeks, lumps or thickened areas in the cheek or floor of the mouth, and any tissue that looks or feels different from the surrounding area. We also check the lymph nodes in the neck for swelling.
What happens if you find something concerning?
Most of the time, we find nothing. When we do find an area that looks unusual, the typical first step is to watch it for two to three weeks — many irritated spots resolve on their own. If it persists, we refer for a biopsy. We'll walk you through next steps directly and keep you informed.
Is the screening uncomfortable?
Not at all. It's a visual and tactile exam — Dr. Agrawal looks carefully at every tissue surface in your mouth and gently feels for any unusual lumps. The whole screening takes about two minutes and adds no discomfort to your visit.
Due for an exam?
Plan a comprehensive visit on Scenic Hwy — oral cancer screening is included.