Oral Cancer Screenings
in Grand Rapids, MI

Oral cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. Like most forms of the disease, outcomes improve dramatically when it is caught early. That is why oral cancer screenings are a standard part of every routine exam at Sherry Dental in Grand Rapids, MI, not an optional add-on, but a built-in layer of protection for your overall health.

Many patients are not aware that their routine dental checkup includes a cancer screening. During each visit, Dr. Sherry carefully evaluates the soft tissues of your mouth alongside your teeth and gums. This gives us a consistent, trained eye on your oral health throughout the year and significantly increases the chance of catching anything unusual before it has time to progress.

How we screen for oral cancer

During your exam, Dr. Sherry will thoroughly inspect your mouth, lips, tongue, gums, and the surrounding tissues for any signs that something may be off. This includes looking for sores that have not healed within a normal timeframe, red or white patches inside or around the mouth, unusual lumps or thickening of the tissue, and any areas that feel tender or different than expected.

Other symptoms that may prompt a closer look include persistent hoarseness, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or a feeling that something is caught in your throat that does not go away. These signs are not always cause for alarm, but they are worth examining carefully. Part of what makes routine screenings so valuable is that Dr. Sherry can track changes over time and notice when something that was not there before has appeared.

The screening itself adds only a few minutes to your appointment and requires no special preparation. It is a quick, non-invasive process that gives you meaningful peace of mind every time you come in.

Self-screenings between visits

In addition to your professional screenings, we encourage all patients to perform a brief self-check at home about once a month. Stand in front of a well-lit mirror and take a few minutes to look over your face, neck, lips, and the inside of your mouth. You are looking for anything that seems new or different: lumps, rashes, sores that have not healed, or any unusual changes to the color or texture of your tissues.

Monthly self-screenings do not replace professional exams, but they are a simple habit that keeps you more aware of your own health between visits. The more familiar you are with what your mouth normally looks like, the easier it is to notice when something has changed.

What happens if something looks abnormal?

Oral cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older male patients, though it can affect anyone. If Dr. Sherry notices something during your exam that warrants a closer look, she will walk you through what she found and explain the next steps clearly. Finding an abnormality does not automatically mean cancer, there are many benign conditions that can cause similar-looking changes. What it does mean is that we take it seriously and act promptly.

Depending on what is found, Dr. Sherry may monitor the area closely over the following weeks or refer you to an oral surgeon or specialist for a biopsy. A biopsy is a simple procedure in which a small sample of tissue is sent to a lab for analysis. It is the most reliable way to determine whether a change is something that needs treatment. Whatever the outcome, you will have a care team guiding you every step of the way.

If you notice any changes during your own monthly self-checks, a sore that has not healed, a lump you have not felt before, or anything that simply does not seem right, do not wait for your next scheduled appointment. Call us and come in. Early action is always the right call.

To schedule an exam with an oral cancer screening, call our Grand Rapids office at (616) 330-1008 to book your visit with Dr. Sherry.