Oral Cancer Screening
At Waverley Dental Centre in Winnipeg, our goal when it comes to oral cancer is always early detection, as this can greatly increase the likelihood of successful treatment results.
Oral Cancer Screenings in Winnipeg
Oral cancer screenings are performed by your dentist and/or dental hygienist as part of your routine dental appointment.
To start, we will perform an extraoral examination, which will include an assessment of your face, head and neck. We will be looking for any asymmetry or changes to the skin such as a crust, colour change or growth.
Regional lymph nodes will be bilaterally palpated to detect whether any of them are enlarged and to examine their mobility and consistency.
The extraoral assessment will followed by an intraoral exam. This will include assessment of the texture and colour of the lips, mucosa, gingiva, floor of the mouth, tongue and palate (hard and soft). We will also look for any swelling, ulcerations, coatings or other abnormalities in these areas.
If you have an abnormality that persists for more than 2 weeks, we will refer you to a specialist to obtain a diagnosis.
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
- Soreness/feeling of something caught in the throat
- Lump in the oral soft tissues
- Trouble chewing or swallowing
- Numbness in the mouth
- Ear pain
- Difficulty moving the jaw or the tongue
- Hoarseness
- Denture that does not fit anymore
- Ulceration that persist more than 2 weeks
Regular dental exams, including oral cancer screenings, are an important part of maintaining your oral health. Contact us today to book an appointment.
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We are accepting new patients – and are always excited to see returning patients again. Our team is here to help!