Oral Examination
& Oral Cancer Screening

What Is A Complete/Comprehensive Oral Examination and How Often Should It Be Performed?

It is recommended that a comprehensive oral examination is done on a patient’s first dental visit.

Your dentist will use this time, typically 1 hour, to ensure that all information is up-to-date. This will include:

  • Your medical history, allergies, etc.
  • Chart all existing conditions like:
    • Broken or missing teeth
    • Existing fillings, dental crowns, bridges, root canals, dentures
    • Signs of abnormalities like lymph nodes, swellings, lesions,
      pigmentation
    • Signs of grinding, clenching, jaw joints (TMJ)
    • Position and occlusion of teeth
    • Soft tissue examinations
    • Oral cancer screening
  • Take necessary x-rays and photos
  • Diagnosis and recommended treatment plan with you based on findings
  • Referrals to specialists as needed

It is recommended that the comprehensive oral examination be repeated

At Beaumaris Dental Care, Dr. Sara will carry out all the procedures while ensuring that you are comfortable throughout the examination.

6-Month Oral Examination

Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth and overall well-being, but many people don’t realize the importance of an oral examination. A 6-month oral examination is recommended for all patients regardless of age or current health status. During this exam, your dentist can identify any potential problems with your teeth or gums and ensure that you are receiving the best care possible.

Patients are advised to have periodic oral exams every 6 months to assess your oral health and check for any changes that may have occurred since your last visit. You will be able to prevent a host of dental health related problems by visiting your dentist every 6 months.

The oral examination is a critical part of the dental visit. The dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums and look for any signs of disease or decay. They will also check your bite and ensure your teeth are aligned correctly. Ask the dentist for any questions or concerns during your appointment.

Oral Cancer Screening

1 in 3 people diagnosed with oral cancer in Canada die and this is mainly due to late detection of oral cancer. Early diagnosis of oral cancer through screening and early detection is critical. Survival is much better when diagnosed at an early stage.

Oral Cancer Screening Procedure

Oral cancer is one of the most dangerous and deadly forms, yet it is often overlooked due to its hidden location in the mouth. Catching and treating oral cancer at an early stage is vital to a successful outcome. That’s why regular oral cancer screenings are so important.

The first step in the oral cancer screening procedure is to inspect the mouth for any signs of abnormalities visually. It includes looking for any lumps, bumps, or ulcers on the lips, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, or inside of the cheeks. The next step is to feel around the head and neck for any lumps or swollen lymph nodes.

After that, the dentist will use a mirror to look at all surfaces of your teeth and gums. They will also use a small lighted instrument called a dental explorer to check for any changes in texture or color on the gum tissue. A biopsy will be done to test for cancerous cells if anything suspicious is found.

Oral cancer screening is quick, easy, and painless. It’s important to have it done regularly so any changes can be caught early and treated effectively.

At Beaumaris Dental Care, oral cancer screening will be done with your routine checkup and dental cleaning.