A dental examination is not just about counting teeth; early-stage oral cancer screening should be included in every routine check-up. Using gauze, the dentist pulls the patient’s tongue completely out; they visually and palpate the sides of the tongue (the most common area for cancer), the base of the tongue, and the floor of the mouth to check for any hard masses (indurations). The cheek mucosa, palate, and gums are then examined. Red (erythroplakia) or white (leukoplakia) spots or ulcers with irregular edges that persist for more than three weeks may be precancerous signs. Early diagnosis saves lives; if a suspicious lesion is found, the dentist should refer the patient for a histopathological biopsy without delay.
