What I actually look at

I am looking for anything that does not match the other side: a white or red patch, a sore that has not healed in two weeks, a lump, a rough area, or numbness. Most of what I find is harmless. The screening is how we know.

• Lips, inside and out
• Tongue, top, sides and underneath
• Floor of the mouth and the roof
• Inside of the cheeks and the back of the throat
• Gums and the tissue around any dentures or appliances
• Lymph nodes along the jaw and neck, by touch

Who is at higher risk

Tobacco in any form and heavy alcohol use are the classic risks. HPV has become a major cause of throat cancers in people who have never smoked. Age, a lot of sun exposure on the lips, and a previous oral cancer all raise the odds.

If any of those apply to you, I do not screen differently, I just pay closer attention to small changes between visits. Tell us if your history changes.

What happens if I see something

Most spots are a bite injury, a canker sore, or irritation from a sharp edge. I note the location and size, and if it is still there in two weeks, we look again. If a spot is suspicious on the first look, or has not resolved at the recheck, I refer you to an oral surgeon or specialist for a biopsy. That is the only way to know for certain, and the sooner it happens the better.

I will tell you plainly what I see and why I am or am not concerned. No alarm, no vagueness.

What you can check at home

Once a month, in good light, look at your tongue, under it, and inside your cheeks. You are looking for anything new that is not on the other side too. If something has been there two weeks, call us. You do not need a full appointment to have me look at one spot.