Oral Cancer Screenings

Detection with VELscope Screenings

Regular oral cancer screenings are essential for the early detection of abnormalities that might otherwise go unnoticed. At Richmond Centre Dental Clinic, we use advanced VELscope technology to identify suspicious tissue changes quickly and effectively. This safe, non-invasive procedure allows us to highlight areas of concern that may not be visible to the naked eye, giving you peace of mind and helping us promote long-term oral health.

Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and throat. Using the VELscope system enhances our ability to detect early signs of cancerous or precancerous conditions, which is critical for successful treatment and overall outcomes. Early diagnosis means quicker intervention and better long-term results.

Routine Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is the 13th most commonly diagnosed cancer, according to the Dental Association. It can develop in any part of the mouth, internal or external – lips, tongue, cheeks, floor and roof of the mouth, sinuses, and throat. This is why routine checkups are so important. Routine checkups allow our dentist to thoroughly examine your child's mouth for early signs of development. While oral cancer is always a concern, you should know that it is rare. Unless your child is actively using tobacco products, or if your family has a gene pool that has a history of developing it, there is a very little chance your child will experience anything close to oral cancer in their lifetime. However, it is never a bad idea to get your concerns checked at your child's next dental visit to our office. An oral cancer screening is a routine examination that is done at each dental visit. We educate our families about the importance of following up with their medical doctor for any visual lesions, lumps, or bumps that may be observed during the screening.

The first step in screening for oral cancer is the completion of your child's dental and medical history, which includes a review of:

• General health history, including a list of current medications and allergies.
• Oral and lifestyle habits, with reference to quantity, frequency, and duration.
• Symptoms of oral pain or discomfort.

If anything is concerning, we may perform an extraoral and intraoral examination, where we:

• Inspect your child's head and neck for asymmetry, tenderness, or swelling.
• Palpate the submandibular, neck, and supraclavicular regions for lymph nodes, paying close attention to size, number, tenderness, and mobility.
• Inspect and palpate the lips and perioral tissues for abnormalities.
• Systematically inspect and palpate all oral soft tissues, paying close attention to the high-risk sites for the development of oral cancer including the lateral and ventral aspects of the tongue, floor of the mouth, and the soft palate complex.
  

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Although symptoms of oral cancer can resemble less serious conditions, they should never be ignored. Common signs to watch for include red or white patches, persistent sores that bleed or do not heal, lumps, thickened areas, unexplained numbness, and difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an evaluation to rule out more serious concerns and begin appropriate care if needed.