Oral Cancer Screening
Early detection saves lives. Comprehensive oral cancer screenings for your peace of mind.
What is Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening is a quick, painless examination that Dr. Olaes performs to detect early signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues. With over 25 years of experience serving the San Diego community, Dr. Olaes uses advanced techniques and technology to identify abnormalities that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Dr. Olaes thoroughly examines your lips, tongue, gums, throat, and oral tissues using both visual inspection and palpation to detect any unusual changes, lumps, or discolorations.
The key to successful oral cancer treatment is early detection. Regular screenings can identify problems in their earliest stages when treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest.
Benefits of Regular Oral Cancer Screening
Protect your health with regular oral cancer screenings at Carmel Mountain Dentist
Identify oral cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is most successful
Regular screenings provide reassurance about your oral health status
Screening takes just a few minutes during your regular dental visit
Visual and tactile examination requires no needles or incisions
Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes and survival rates
Examines all oral tissues including areas you can't see yourself
Dr. Olaes's 25+ years of experience in identifying oral abnormalities
Evaluate your personal risk factors and provide preventive guidance
Protect your loved ones by maintaining good oral health practices
Much less expensive than treating advanced oral cancer
What to Expect During Your Screening
Our oral cancer screening process is thorough, gentle, and designed for your comfort
Medical History Review
Dr. Olaes will discuss your medical history, lifestyle factors, and any concerns you may have about oral health or cancer risk.
Visual Examination
Careful visual inspection of your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, roof and floor of mouth, and throat for any unusual colors, textures, or growths.
Physical Palpation
Gentle feeling of your neck, jaw, and oral tissues to check for lumps, bumps, or areas of tenderness that may indicate problems.
Advanced Technology
When needed, Dr. Olaes may use special lights or other diagnostic tools to better visualize tissues and identify abnormalities.
Results Discussion
Immediate discussion of findings, explanation of normal vs. concerning features, and recommendations for follow-up if needed.
Prevention Education
Personalized advice on reducing your oral cancer risk through lifestyle modifications and preventive care.
Who Should Get Oral Cancer Screening?
Regular oral cancer screening is recommended for everyone, but especially important for certain groups
Age is a significant risk factor, with most oral cancers occurring in people over 40 years old.
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or using smokeless tobacco dramatically increases oral cancer risk.
Regular alcohol consumption, especially combined with tobacco use, significantly elevates risk.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to certain types of oral and throat cancers.
Excessive sun exposure increases risk of lip cancer, common in San Diego's sunny climate.
Having relatives with oral, throat, or other head and neck cancers increases your risk.
Survivors of oral cancer have increased risk of developing new cancers in the mouth or throat.
Even without risk factors, regular screening is part of comprehensive preventive healthcare.
Oral cancer screening is typically included as part of your regular dental examination at no additional cost. For comprehensive screenings or follow-up evaluations, costs are minimal compared to cancer treatment.
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive screenings. We'll help you understand your coverage and work with you to make this life-saving service accessible.
Patient Experiences
Hear from patients who value Dr. Olaes's thorough approach to oral health screening
"Dr. Olaes caught something during my routine screening that I never would have noticed. Her thoroughness and attention to detail during the oral cancer screening gave me peace of mind, and her referral for follow-up care was handled perfectly. I'm grateful for her careful examination."
- Sarah M., Rancho Bernardo
"As a former smoker, I was concerned about oral cancer risk. Dr. Olaes takes time during each visit to do a comprehensive screening and explains what she's looking for. Her gentle approach and clear explanations help me feel confident about my oral health."
- Robert T., Scripps Ranch
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about oral cancer screening
We recommend oral cancer screening as part of your regular dental checkups, typically every 6 months. If you have risk factors like tobacco use or family history, Dr. Olaes may recommend more frequent screenings. The screening is quick and can be done during your routine cleaning appointment.
No, oral cancer screening is completely painless. Dr. Olaes uses gentle visual examination and light palpation to check your oral tissues. Most patients don't even realize the screening is happening as it's seamlessly integrated into their regular dental exam.
Early signs include persistent sores that don't heal within 2 weeks, red or white patches in the mouth, lumps or thickening of tissues, difficulty chewing or swallowing, numbness in the mouth, or changes in how your teeth fit together. However, early oral cancer may have no symptoms, which is why regular professional screening is crucial.
If Dr. Olaes identifies any areas of concern, she'll explain her findings and may recommend a follow-up appointment for continued monitoring or refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. Most suspicious areas turn out to be benign, but early investigation ensures the best possible outcomes if treatment is needed.
Yes, Dr. Olaes uses multiple screening methods including visual examination, palpation, and when indicated, special diagnostic lights or other tools to better visualize tissues. The screening approach is customized based on your risk factors and any areas of concern.
While not all oral cancers can be prevented, you can significantly reduce your risk by avoiding tobacco products, limiting alcohol consumption, protecting your lips from sun exposure, maintaining good oral hygiene, and getting regular dental checkups. Dr. Olaes provides personalized prevention guidance based on your risk factors.
Most dental insurance plans cover oral cancer screening as part of routine preventive care. Our team will verify your coverage and help you understand any costs involved. We believe this life-saving screening should be accessible to all our San Diego area patients.
Related Services
Comprehensive oral health services to keep you healthy
Regular cleanings and checkups for optimal oral health maintenance.
Thorough dental examinations including oral health assessments.
Gum disease prevention and treatment for healthy oral tissues.
Protect Your Health with Regular Oral Cancer Screening
Early detection saves lives. Schedule your oral cancer screening with Dr. Olaes today and gain peace of mind about your oral health.
Serving Carmel Mountain, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, and Poway