Why Your Norwood Dentist Checks for Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can start as a small sore or patch that does not hurt. Many people never notice it on their own, especially in places like the floor of the mouth or the back of the tongue. A dentist sees those areas at every checkup.
That is why Dr. Monika Kaceli includes an oral cancer check in each routine exam in Norwood. Finding a suspicious change early gives you more options if anything needs further testing.
What the Screening Covers
The screening is a visual and hands-on exam. Dr. Kaceli looks at and gently feels the tissues of your mouth and neck, checking for color changes, sores, lumps or areas that feel firm or thickened.
- Lips and the corners of the mouth
- Gums and the inside of the cheeks
- The top, sides and underside of the tongue
- The floor of the mouth
- The throat and roof of the mouth
- Salivary glands
- Lymph nodes and tissue in the neck
Most of what we find is harmless, such as a cheek bite or irritation from a rough tooth edge that may need a quick bonding touch-up or a smoothed filling. If something looks unusual, we may ask you to come back in a couple of weeks to see whether it has healed, or refer you for further evaluation.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Anyone can develop oral cancer, but some factors raise the risk.
- Tobacco use in any form, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco
- Heavy alcohol use, especially combined with tobacco
- Family history of cancer
- Sun exposure on the lips, common in people who work or play outdoors
If any of these apply to you, tell us at your visit. It helps Dr. Kaceli know what to watch closely over time.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
- History reviewWe ask about tobacco and alcohol use, sun exposure and any family history. Honest answers help us, and they stay private.
- Visual checkDr. Kaceli uses light and a small mirror to look over every surface of your mouth and throat.
- Gentle touch examShe feels the tissues of your mouth, jaw and neck with her fingers to check for lumps or firm areas.
- Results and next stepsShe tells you what she found. Most of the time, that is nothing of concern.
The screening adds only a few minutes to your exam, and there is no special preparation.
Signs to Watch for Between Visits
Call our office if you notice any of these and they last more than two weeks:
- A sore or ulcer that does not heal
- A white or red patch inside the mouth
- A lump or thickening in the cheek, tongue or neck
- Ongoing hoarseness, trouble swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in your throat
- Numbness in the mouth or lips
Why Choose Kaceli Dental Studio in Norwood?
Dr. Kaceli follows the same order at every exam, and the oral cancer check is always part of it. Having the same dentist see you year after year makes it easier to notice when something has changed.
Our Norwood office accepts most insurance, opens one Friday and one Saturday each month, and works with periodontist Dr. Milagros Serrano when gum tissue needs a specialist's eye.
