Oral Cancer Screenings
Two minutes that can change everything
Included in every exam at our office, at no extra charge, is a careful screening for oral cancer. Most patients
do not even realize it is happening. While Dr. Salinas examines your mouth, she is also checking your tongue,
cheeks, lips, gums, palate, throat, and the floor of your mouth for anything that does not belong, and gently
feeling your neck and jaw for lumps or swelling.
We treat this as non negotiable because the math is stark. Oral cancer found early is very treatable, with
survival rates that drop sharply once it spreads. A screening this quick, this painless, and this routine should
never be the thing that gets skipped.
Oral Cancer Screenings
What we are looking for
The early signs of oral cancer are usually subtle and painless, which is exactly why professional eyes matter.
We look for white or red patches, sores that have not healed within two weeks, unusual lumps or thickened
areas, unexplained bleeding, and changes in the way tissue looks or feels compared with your last visit.
Because we see you regularly, we have something a one time screening can never offer, a baseline. Knowing
what your mouth normally looks like is what lets us notice when something small has changed. It is one more
quiet argument for keeping those six month visits.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Who is at risk
Tobacco in any form and heavy alcohol use raise risk substantially, and the combination multiplies it. HPV has
become a major cause of throat and mouth cancers in younger adults who have never smoked. Sun exposure
contributes to lip cancer, which matters in a place as relentlessly sunny as Central Texas. Risk also simply rises
with age.
Here is the part we want to be direct about. A growing share of oral cancer patients have none of the classic
risk factors. Screening only the obvious candidates misses too many people, which is why we screen
everyone, every exam, no exceptions.
Oral Cancer Screenings
If we ever find something
First, most unusual findings are not cancer. Bite injuries, canker sores, and harmless tissue changes are far
more common. If we spot something, we will usually recheck it in two weeks to see if it resolves on its own,
since most things do.
If it does not resolve, we will refer you promptly to a trusted specialist for evaluation, explain exactly what we
saw and why it deserves a closer look, and stay involved in your care. What we will never do is wait and hope.
When it comes to oral cancer, acting early is everything. Keep your exams on the calendar, and call (512)
646-4420 if you have noticed anything unusual between visits.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
No. It is entirely visual and tactile. Dr. Salinas looks, feels gently, and that is it. Most patients cannot tell where
the exam ends and the screening begins.
Yes, occasionally. Once a month or so, look in a mirror at your tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips. Anything that
lasts more than two weeks, especially a sore, patch, or lump, deserves a call to us.
Your risk drops meaningfully after quitting and keeps dropping over time, which is great news. It does not
reach zero, so regular screenings remain important. They are built into your exams here, so keeping your
checkups is all you need to do.
Related services
Preventive Dentistry
Thorough exams, gentle cleanings, digital X-rays, and periodontal care that keep
small problems from ever becoming big ones.
Dental Exams
Plenty of exams amount to a quick glance and a pat on the back. Ours do not. When you sit down in our chair, Dr. Salinas looks at every tooth individually
Teeth Cleanings
Even people who brush and floss perfectly build up tartar in spots a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Our
hygienists remove all of it gently
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.