As your dentist here at Como Dental Design, just minutes from Larchmont, NY, I know it’s easy to think of dental check-ups as “just teeth cleaning.” But every time you sit in my chair, I’m not just looking at your teeth, I’m also checking your tongue, cheeks, gums, and other soft tissues for signs of oral disease, including oral cancer.
The phrase “tongue and cheek” might make you smile, but in my profession, those areas can reveal life-saving clues. Here are my top 5 reasons why soft tissue exams are one of the most important parts of your visit, based on both research and my own experience in patient care.
While many people associate dental visits with cavities and cleanings, I make sure we look beyond the teeth. That means examining your lips, tongue (including the sides and underside), cheeks, floor of the mouth, palate, and even the lymph nodes in your neck.
The CDC and the Cleveland Clinic both recommend this as standard protocol and it is a vital part of every new patient evaluation and dental recare visits at Como Dental Design.
I follow a systematic screening process every time. The American Dental Association (ADA) notes that a comprehensive oral evaluation, complete with visual and tactile inspection can help detect tissue changes well before symptoms occur. This means even silent, painless conditions can be caught early, when they are easier and less invasive to treat.
I also encourage you to mention anything unusual you’ve noticed: a sore that won’t heal, a lump, a spot that feels different, or changes in the way your dentures fit. Together, we can catch problems early.
Yes, tobacco and alcohol use are well-known risk factors for oral cancer. But I’ve diagnosed suspicious lesions in patients who had none of these habits. HPV, excessive sun exposure to the lips, and even genetics can play a role.
That’s why I screen every patient regardless of age, history, or lifestyle. Prevention and vigilance are far better than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Oral cancer can be subtle in its early stages, sometimes showing up as a small sore, a patch of discoloration, or a slight thickening of tissue. Caught early, treatment success rates and survival odds are dramatically higher.
The Mayo Clinic reports that regular oral cancer screenings can identify problems before they cause symptoms, when they are easiest to treat. In fact, research shows that patients who see their dentist regularly have significantly higher five- and ten-year survival rates for oral cancers.
When you’re in my chair, I take the time to look for even the smallest changes—because early action is everything.
You can help me help you. In between visits, make it a habit to gently brush not just your teeth but also your tongue and the inside of your cheeks. This keeps your mouth cleaner and gives you a chance to notice any changes.
The Oral Cancer Foundation recommends self-checks once a month. If you spot something unusual, especially if it lasts more than two to three weeks, please take note and give our office a call.
If I find an area that concerns me, we’ll talk about the next steps, which might include a simple brush biopsy, referral to an oral surgeon, or imaging. Many times, these areas turn out to be harmless but when they’re not, catching them early makes a world of difference.
When you visit Como Dental Design, you’re getting far more than a “cleaning.” You’re getting a comprehensive oral health evaluation that includes the very tissues, your tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums that can reveal signs of serious conditions.
So the next time you hear “tongue and cheek,” I hope you’ll remember that those words aren’t just playful, they’re part of the reason I’m so thorough during your visit. Because your health, not just your smile, matters to me.
If it’s been more than six months since your last exam, schedule your appointment today. I’ll make sure we keep both your teeth and your overall oral health in top shape.
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