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Preventive dentistry · Summerlin

Oral Cancer Screening

A quick, painless examination of the mouth, throat, face, and neck can identify tissue changes that deserve a closer look.

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Clear answers. Thoughtful care.

Prepared for Springs Dental patients by Dr. Sheila Heraypur, DMD and Dr. Sofia Valenzuela, DMD.

PurposeLook for early signs of abnormal tissue
TimeUsually only a few minutes
ComfortVisual and hands-on examination
Next stepMonitor, recheck, test, or refer when needed
Why it matters

Changes are easier to address when they are found early.

An oral cancer screening is a systematic visual and hands-on examination. We inspect the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, throat, face, and neck for changes.

A screening does not diagnose cancer. If something looks or feels unusual, we explain the finding and recommend the appropriate next step, which may include monitoring, referral, or biopsy.

What to notice

Do not ignore a change that stays.

01

A sore lasting two weeks

An ulcer, irritation, or tender area that does not heal should be checked.

02

A red or white patch

Persistent color or texture changes can require evaluation.

03

A lump or thick area

A new bump in the mouth, lip, throat, jaw, or neck deserves attention.

04

Trouble swallowing or speaking

Persistent hoarseness or a sensation that something is caught should be assessed.

05

Unexplained numbness or pain

New numbness, bleeding, ear pain, or oral discomfort should not be dismissed.

06

A change in fit or movement

Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw, or dentures suddenly fitting differently, can matter.

Check promptly

Two weeks is long enough to wonder.

Many oral changes are not cancer, but persistent symptoms should be examined. If a sore, patch, lump, hoarseness, swallowing difficulty, or unexplained numbness lasts more than two weeks, schedule an evaluation.

Why Springs Dental

We screen carefully, explain clearly, and coordinate what comes next.

01

A systematic examination

We inspect and feel the areas where suspicious changes may appear—not just the teeth.

02

Context, not alarm

We explain what we found, what may cause it, and why monitoring or referral is appropriate.

03

A documented next step

When a finding needs follow-up, we create a clear timeline and coordinate specialist care when indicated.

Patient guide

Know what to expect.

Simple guidance for before your appointment and after your visit.

01

Before your visit

  • Remove lipstick or heavy lip products if practical.
  • Be prepared to remove dentures or partials during the examination.
  • Tell us when you first noticed a change and whether it has evolved.
  • Share tobacco, alcohol, HPV, sun exposure, and relevant medical history honestly.
02

After your visit

  • Most screenings require no recovery or restrictions.
  • Follow any recheck timeline exactly, even if the area is painless.
  • Do not attempt to treat or scrape a persistent lesion yourself.
  • Contact us sooner if the area grows, bleeds, becomes painful, or new symptoms appear.
Common questions

Oral Cancer Screening FAQ.

Does an oral cancer screening hurt?+

No. It is a quick visual and hands-on examination and is usually painless.

Is screening included in a regular dental exam?+

We evaluate oral tissues during comprehensive and routine examinations. A focused visit is also appropriate when you notice a persistent change.

Does an abnormal finding mean cancer?+

No. Many infections, injuries, and inflammatory conditions can look unusual. A screening identifies what needs further evaluation; diagnosis may require specialist assessment or biopsy.

Who is at higher risk?+

Risk can increase with tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, HPV exposure, age, and sun exposure to the lips, but oral cancer can occur without obvious risk factors.

What happens if you find something?+

Depending on the finding, we may photograph and monitor it, schedule a recheck, recommend testing, or refer you to an oral surgeon or other specialist.

When should I call instead of waiting for my next checkup?+

Call when a sore, patch, lump, swallowing or speaking change, unexplained numbness, or other symptom lasts more than two weeks—or sooner if it is worsening.

Clinical authorship

Prepared by the doctors who provide your care.

Dr. Sheila Heraypur, DMD
Springs Dental

Dr. Sofia Valenzuela, DMD
Springs Dental

Reviewed August 2026
Ready when you are

A few careful minutes can provide an important answer.

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