General & Cosmetic Dentistry
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD serves the neighborhoods of Huntersville, Lake Norman, Davidson and Cornelius.
Oral cancers can be life-changing, and detecting them early makes a tangible difference in treatment options and long-term outcomes. Though oral cancer represents a relatively small share of all cancer diagnoses, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide receive this diagnosis each year. Regular screenings give clinicians the opportunity to catch suspicious changes before they progress, helping to preserve function, appearance, and quality of life.
A screening is different from a diagnostic visit: it’s a focused check for early warning signs performed as part of a routine dental exam. Because many early lesions are painless and subtle, they can go unnoticed by patients. A trained dental provider can spot patterns and findings that deserve closer attention, so scheduling consistent exams is one of the most effective measures patients can take to protect their oral health.
At a practice level, emphasizing screening is also about prevention and education. Dentists and hygienists are well positioned to discuss risk factors, demonstrate self-check techniques, and coordinate timely referrals if a biopsy or specialist consultation becomes necessary. Prioritizing screening helps transform isolated visits into an ongoing partnership aimed at early detection and healthier outcomes.
Anyone can develop oral cancer, but certain factors raise the probability of developing a lesion. Tobacco use in any form and heavy alcohol consumption are two of the most significant risks. Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly strains linked to oropharyngeal cancer, has also contributed to a rise in cases among younger adults. Additional contributors include extensive sun exposure to the lips, a history of head and neck radiation, chronic reflux, and nutritional deficiencies that weaken mucosal defenses.
Knowing the physical signs that may indicate a problem helps patients seek care sooner. Persistent sores or ulcers that fail to heal, white or red patches in the mouth, unexplained lumps or thickened tissue, persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and numbness or unusual pain should prompt evaluation. Changes that last more than two weeks deserve professional attention—especially when they occur without an obvious cause like injury.
Because risk and presentation vary widely, screening is aimed at the entire adult population rather than only high-risk groups. Patients who use tobacco, drink heavily, have a history of HPV exposure, or have had prior head and neck radiation should be especially diligent, but clinicians encourage everyone to be familiar with the signs of trouble and to keep up with their regular dental visits.
A typical screening is efficient, noninvasive, and integrated into your routine dental exam. The clinician will begin by reviewing your medical and dental history, including recent symptoms, tobacco or alcohol use, and any changes in general health. This background helps guide the physical examination and any decisions about follow-up testing.
Next comes the visual and tactile inspection. The dentist or hygienist will systematically check the lips, cheeks, tongue (top and underside), gums, floor of the mouth, palate, and the back of the throat. They will also palpate the neck to feel for enlarged lymph nodes or masses. Many findings that look or feel different from surrounding tissue are simply benign, but any persistent abnormality is noted and monitored or referred for further evaluation.
Some practices use adjunctive tools to supplement the clinical exam—examples include high-intensity light sources, tissue visualization aids, or intraoral cameras that document suspicious areas. When used judiciously, these technologies can enhance detection and help track changes over time. Regardless of tools, the most important elements remain a careful examination and thoughtful clinical judgment.
If a clinician discovers a suspicious lesion, the next steps depend on the lesion’s appearance, duration, and clinical context. In some cases the team will recommend close monitoring with photographic documentation and a follow-up exam in a few weeks. In other situations, a definitive diagnosis requires tissue sampling; the dentist will discuss a biopsy or refer you to an oral surgeon or ENT specialist for evaluation.
Biopsy results guide the care plan. A benign result typically leads to continued observation and risk-reduction counseling. If the pathology indicates dysplasia or cancer, your dental team will coordinate with medical specialists to outline staging and treatment options. Early-stage findings often allow for more conservative treatment and better functional outcomes, which is one reason prompt follow-up is so important.
Throughout this process, clear communication and coordination of care are essential. Dental professionals work closely with surgeons, oncologists, and primary care providers to ensure that each patient receives appropriate diagnostic workup and timely referral when needed. The goal at every step is to move from uncertainty to an organized plan that prioritizes the patient’s health and comfort.
Reducing modifiable risks is one of the most effective strategies patients can use. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, protecting the lips from sun exposure, maintaining a nutritious diet, and staying up to date with recommended vaccinations where appropriate all contribute to lower risk. These lifestyle steps also improve overall oral and systemic health, which strengthens the body’s ability to respond if a problem arises.
Self-awareness complements professional screening. Patients can perform brief self-checks at home by using a mirror and good lighting to look for new lumps, sores, or patches, and by feeling along the neck for any persistent swelling. If anything unusual is found—especially if it persists beyond two weeks—contact your dental provider for an evaluation.
Regular dental visits remain the cornerstone of early detection. During routine checkups, clinicians not only clean and maintain teeth but also assess soft tissues and discuss risk factors. The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD emphasizes integrating oral cancer screening into every adult exam to ensure that prevention and early detection are part of comprehensive care.
Staying informed, practicing healthy habits, and keeping scheduled exams give patients the best chance of catching concerns early, when interventions are most effective. If you have questions about screening frequency or specific risk factors, your dental team can provide personalized guidance based on your health history.
To summarize, oral cancer screening is a simple, evidence-based component of routine dental care that helps detect early changes before they advance. Regular exams, awareness of risk factors and symptoms, and prompt follow-up when something is found make a meaningful difference. If you would like more information about oral cancer screening or to discuss how it fits into your preventive care, please contact us for more information.
Oral cancer screening is a focused clinical assessment performed to detect early signs of cancers or precancerous changes in the mouth, lips and throat. It is typically part of a routine dental examination and emphasizes inspection and palpation of soft tissues rather than treatment. The goal is to identify abnormalities that warrant monitoring or further diagnostic evaluation before they progress.
Screening is different from a diagnostic visit because it is proactive and designed for early detection, often finding subtle or painless changes that patients may not notice. A trained dental professional evaluates the lips, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, cheeks and neck for color changes, lumps, ulcerations or texture differences. When findings are unclear, documentation and follow-up help determine whether additional testing is needed.
Routine screenings are essential because early detection substantially improves treatment options and long-term outcomes for patients. Many early oral lesions are painless and can be overlooked without a systematic exam, so regular professional checks increase the likelihood of catching problems at a curable stage. Early intervention also helps preserve function and appearance, reducing the need for more extensive treatment later on.
Beyond detection, screenings provide an opportunity for education and risk-reduction counseling tailored to each patient’s health history. Dental teams can review risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, HPV exposure and sun protection for the lips, and offer practical guidance. Integrating screening into every adult exam makes prevention and early detection part of routine care.
All adults should receive routine oral cancer screenings as part of their regular dental exams because risk exists across the population and early lesions can occur in otherwise healthy individuals. People with known risk factors—such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, a history of HPV exposure, prior head and neck radiation, or extensive sun exposure to the lips—should be especially diligent about screenings. Age and medical history also inform the level of vigilance and follow-up that a clinician recommends.
Screening frequency and intensity are individualized based on the patient’s risk profile and clinical findings. A dentist or hygienist will discuss any concerns during the visit and may recommend more frequent monitoring for those with persistent findings or elevated risk. This personalized approach helps ensure that higher-risk patients receive appropriate attention without subjecting low-risk patients to unnecessary procedures.
Oral cancer screening is generally performed at routine dental checkups, which commonly occur every six months, though recommended frequency may vary by individual risk. For patients with significant risk factors or suspicious but indeterminate findings, a dentist may suggest more frequent reviews, photographic tracking or a short-term follow-up exam. Consistency in scheduling allows clinicians to detect subtle changes over time that might otherwise be missed.
If you have new symptoms such as a sore that does not heal, unexplained patches, lumps, numbness or persistent hoarseness, contact your dental provider promptly rather than waiting for your next routine visit. Early evaluation of changes that persist beyond two weeks helps speed diagnostic workup when needed. Your dental team can provide a tailored plan that balances vigilance with appropriate monitoring intervals.
A typical screening begins with a review of your medical and dental history, including questions about symptoms, tobacco and alcohol use, and any recent changes in health. The clinician then performs a visual inspection and tactile exam of the lips, cheeks, tongue (top and underside), gums, floor of the mouth, palate and the back of the throat, and palpates the neck for enlarged lymph nodes. This systematic approach ensures that all common sites for oral cancer are evaluated.
Most screenings are quick and noninvasive, and many findings are benign, but any persistent or unusual areas are photographed and documented for comparison. Depending on the appearance and duration of a finding, the dentist may recommend watchful waiting with follow-up, use adjunctive visualization tools, or refer you for a biopsy or specialist evaluation. Clear communication about next steps is a key part of the visit.
Adjunctive tools such as high-intensity light sources, tissue visualization aids and intraoral cameras can supplement the clinical exam by highlighting tissue changes and creating a visual record. When used judiciously, these aids help clinicians document suspicious areas, compare changes over time and improve patient understanding of findings. They are not replacements for a careful visual and tactile exam but can enhance detection in certain cases.
Practices vary in the technologies they use, and clinical judgment determines whether adjunctive testing is appropriate for a given patient or lesion. False positives and negatives can occur with any tool, so results are interpreted in the context of history and examination. When adjunctive tools raise concern, the next step is often closer monitoring or referral for definitive diagnosis.
If a suspicious lesion is found, your dentist will explain the appearance and recommend an appropriate course of action based on its size, texture, and duration. Options commonly include close monitoring with photographic records and a short-interval recheck, referral to an oral surgeon or ENT specialist, or arranging a biopsy to obtain tissue for pathology. Prompt, organized follow-up is important because biopsy results determine whether further treatment or staging is needed.
The dental team acts as a coordinator of care, communicating with specialists and your primary care providers to ensure timely evaluation and treatment planning. If pathology shows dysplasia or cancer, the goal is to move quickly to staging and a multidisciplinary treatment strategy that preserves function and quality of life. Throughout the process, clinicians prioritize clear information, support and coordination to reduce uncertainty for the patient.
A simple monthly self-check can help patients notice changes between dental visits; perform it in a well-lit room using a hand mirror and, if possible, a flashlight. Check the lips for sores or changes in texture, examine the inside of the cheeks by gently stretching them outward, run your tongue over all surfaces to feel for lumps and inspect the floor and roof of the mouth for color changes or patches. Also feel along the sides of your neck for any persistent lumps or swelling that do not resolve over a few days.
Report any new sores, white or red patches, unexplained lumps, numbness, persistent hoarseness or difficulty swallowing that last more than two weeks to your dental provider promptly. Keep notes or photographs to document changes so your clinician can compare findings over time. Self-awareness complements professional screening but does not replace a thorough exam by a trained provider.
Several modifiable and nonmodifiable factors influence oral cancer risk, with tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption among the most significant modifiable risks. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly strains associated with oropharyngeal cancer, has become an increasingly important factor, especially in younger adults, and extensive sun exposure raises risk for lip cancers. Additional contributors include a history of head and neck radiation, chronic reflux, poor nutrition and certain genetic or immunologic conditions.
Reducing modifiable risks—quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, protecting lips from sun exposure and maintaining good nutrition—lowers overall risk and supports general oral health. Vaccination against HPV where appropriate and regular dental care that includes screening further reduce the likelihood of late detection. Your dental team can review your personal risk profile and recommend targeted strategies for prevention.
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD emphasizes clear communication and timely coordination with specialists, including oral surgeons, ENT physicians and oncologists, when a suspicious lesion is identified. The dental team documents findings, provides photographic records when available, and facilitates referrals to ensure that patients receive appropriate diagnostic testing such as biopsy and imaging. This coordinated approach helps move patients efficiently from screening to diagnosis and treatment planning.
Throughout referral and treatment, the dental practice remains involved in supporting oral care needs, monitoring healing, and assisting with functional or prosthetic concerns that may arise during cancer care. Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team that shares information and aligns on goals to preserve function and quality of life. If you have questions about referrals or next steps, the staff at Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD can explain the process and help arrange timely appointments.
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD serves the neighborhoods of Huntersville, Lake Norman, Davidson and Cornelius.