When you sit down for a dental checkup, you’re probably thinking about cavities and cleanings. But your dentist is looking for something far more serious during that exam—something that could save your life. April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to understand why those routine visits matter more than you might realize.
At Scott A. Babin, DDS & Associates, every comprehensive exam includes careful screening for signs of oral cancer. It takes just a few minutes, causes no discomfort, and can catch problems at the earliest, most treatable stage.
Oral cancer affects approximately 54,000 Americans each year. When detected early, survival rates exceed 80%. But when diagnosis is delayed—which happens more often than it should—outcomes become significantly worse. The challenge is that early oral cancer rarely hurts. It doesn’t always look alarming. Many people have no idea anything is wrong until the disease has progressed.
This is precisely why dental screenings matter. Your dentist examines areas of your mouth you can’t easily see yourself, using training and experience to recognize subtle changes that warrant further investigation. For many patients, their dentist is the first healthcare provider to notice something suspicious.
You may not even realize it’s happening. During your exam, your dentist visually inspects all the soft tissues in your mouth—the tongue, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, inner cheeks, gums, lips, and the back of the throat. They’re looking for anything unusual: color changes, lumps, bumps, thickened areas, or sores that don’t belong.
Your dentist also feels the tissues, checking for masses or abnormalities that might not be visible on the surface. They may examine your neck and jaw for enlarged lymph nodes or other irregularities. The entire process takes only a few minutes and requires no special preparation on your part.
If something looks concerning, it doesn’t automatically mean cancer. Many oral abnormalities turn out to be benign. But identifying them early allows for monitoring or biopsy when appropriate, ensuring nothing serious goes undetected.
Between dental visits, staying aware of changes in your mouth can help catch problems early. Contact your dentist if you notice:
Most of these symptoms have innocent explanations. But because oral cancer can present the same way, ruling out serious causes is important.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer, though the disease can affect anyone.
Tobacco Use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes significantly elevates risk. Smokeless tobacco—chewing tobacco and snuff—is equally dangerous, perhaps more so, because it maintains direct contact with oral tissues for extended periods.
Heavy Alcohol Consumption: Regular heavy drinking increases oral cancer risk, and the combination of tobacco and alcohol multiplies the danger dramatically.
HPV Infection: Human papillomavirus, particularly HPV-16, has become a leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers (those affecting the back of the throat, base of the tongue, and tonsils). HPV-related oral cancers are increasing, especially among younger adults who may have no traditional risk factors like tobacco use.
Sun Exposure: Prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of lip cancer. Using lip balm with SPF protection helps reduce this risk.
Age: While oral cancer can occur at any age, risk increases after 40. However, HPV-related cases are changing this pattern, with more diagnoses occurring in younger patients.
Previous Oral Cancer: Having had oral cancer once increases the risk of developing it again.
Even without these risk factors, oral cancer can develop. This is why screening matters for everyone, not just those in high-risk categories.
The difference between early and late diagnosis is dramatic. When oral cancer is found while still localized—before it spreads to lymph nodes or distant sites—treatment is typically less extensive and outcomes are far better. Early-stage cancers may be treated with surgery alone, preserving more healthy tissue and function.
Late-stage oral cancer often requires aggressive treatment combining surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The impact on eating, speaking, and appearance can be profound. Treatment becomes more complex, recovery more difficult, and survival rates drop significantly.
A screening that takes minutes during your routine dental visit can make the difference between these two scenarios.
While not all oral cancers can be prevented, you can significantly reduce your risk:
It’s easy to think of dental appointments as being about cavities and cleanings. But comprehensive care means looking at the whole picture—including screening for conditions that have nothing to do with tooth decay. Oral cancer screening is one of the most valuable services your dentist provides, and it happens quietly during every thorough exam.
At Scott A. Babin, DDS & Associates, Dr. Scott Babin and our team have been caring for Seattle-area families since 2003. We believe every patient deserves thorough, attentive care—and that includes screening for oral cancer at every checkup.
If it’s been more than six months since your last visit, or if you’ve noticed any changes in your mouth that concern you, schedule an appointment today. Our Edmonds office can be reached at 425-775-1766, and our Renton location at 425-227-7788. This April, make oral cancer awareness personal—and make sure your next dental visit is on the calendar.
