Most people do not think about cancer when they sit down in the dentist’s chair, but that is exactly where one of the most important screenings can happen. Oral cancer affects tens of thousands of Americans every year, and its early signs are often subtle or mistaken for something minor. A simple, painless check during a routine dental visit can help catch changes early, when they may be easier to address.
At All Smiles Dentistry, Dr. Jason Steinhubel and our team have served the Lake Stevens community since 2004 with preventive, family-focused care through our family dentistry services. Oral cancer screenings are a natural part of that philosophy. Prevention and early detection are built into every visit, because protecting your overall health starts in your mouth.
An oral cancer screening is a visual and physical check of your mouth, throat, and the areas around them to spot signs of cancer or conditions that could become cancerous. It is not invasive, and it does not require special preparation. Your dentist looks for unusual patches, sores, lumps, or tissue changes, and the screening is performed right alongside your routine dental exam.
The goal is never to alarm you. It is to give you the advantage of information. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, which is why regular screenings matter.
A dental team typically breaks the screening into two parts that work together.
Many changes in the mouth have common, harmless causes such as canker sores or irritation from a dental appliance. Still, a change that lasts more than a couple of weeks is worth showing your dentist. These are some of the signs we look for.
If you notice any of these between visits, call our office and we will arrange a time to take a closer look.
The short answer is everyone, but some risk factors make regular screenings especially important. Tobacco use in any form, heavy alcohol use, prolonged sun exposure to the lips, and a prior history of oral cancer all increase risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) has also been linked to cancers at the back of the throat, so the risk picture is broader than many patients realize.
Risk also tends to rise with age, especially after 40, but younger patients are not immune. At All Smiles Dentistry, screenings are included with professional dental cleanings and exams for patients of all ages, because the best protection starts early.
A quick self-check once a month can help you notice changes between visits. It never replaces a professional screening, but it can help you spot something worth mentioning.
Write down anything new, and call us if it lasts longer than a couple of weeks.
The screening at All Smiles Dentistry is thorough but comfortable. Dr. Jason or a member of the team will visually inspect the lips, gums, tongue, the roof and floor of the mouth, and the back of the throat. We will also gently feel along the jaw and neck to check for unusual swelling or lumps in the lymph nodes.
If something unusual is noticed, it does not automatically mean cancer. Many findings turn out to be benign, such as canker sores, irritation from dental appliances, or minor infections. What matters is that anything worth a closer look gets the attention it deserves, and our team will walk you through each next step so you never feel left in the dark.
In many cases, the recommendation is simply to monitor the area and recheck it at a follow-up visit within a few weeks. Other times, your dentist may suggest additional imaging or refer you to an oral surgeon or an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who can decide whether a biopsy, which is a small tissue sample for lab testing, is the right next step. These steps are about gathering information, not a sign that something is necessarily wrong.
One thing that sets All Smiles Dentistry apart is our investment in technology that helps patients understand their own mouths. Intraoral cameras let our team take a closer look at oral tissue and show you exactly what we see on screen. Our dental technology supports a thorough exam rather than a rushed one.
Dr. Jason has built the practice around quality over volume, which means each patient gets the time and attention their health deserves. A screening is never rushed. It is part of a complete picture of your oral health.
Many dental insurance plans treat an oral cancer screening as part of routine preventive care, often covered at little or no extra cost when it is done alongside a regular exam. Coverage varies by plan, so it is wise to confirm your benefits before your visit. See our insurance page for the plans we work with, or visit our payment plans page if you do not have coverage. You can also call the office and we will help verify your benefits ahead of time.
Dr. Jason Steinhubel has been a trusted part of the Lake Stevens community for over 20 years, providing families with comprehensive preventive care in a welcoming, non-corporate setting. He and the team believe that showing up for your health means being proactive, informed, and consistent. Learn more about Dr. Jason and the team and what makes All Smiles Dentistry a different kind of dental experience.
If you live in Lake Stevens or the surrounding Snohomish County area and it has been a while since your last visit, there is no better time to schedule an exam that includes an oral cancer screening. Contact our office or call 425-335-1111 to book your appointment.
Our dentist at All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Stevens, WA screens for oral cancer during your regular dental exam. We look at and feel the inside and outside of your mouth for signs of abnormal tissue, including the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, and palate, and we examine your neck for lumps.
Yes, we recommend screening for every patient. It is quick and painless, and it is part of your routine exam, which most patients have twice a year. Between visits, watch for sores that do not heal, unusual patches, or lumps in the mouth or neck, and call us if you notice anything.
A dentist can spot areas that look abnormal, but cannot diagnose oral cancer from a screening alone. If an area needs a closer look, your dentist may recheck it after a few weeks or refer you to a specialist, who can decide whether a biopsy is needed.
A dentist may notice some early signs, such as lumps or visible changes at the back of the throat. Other symptoms, including hoarseness, ear pain, or trouble swallowing, are less visible, so tell us about them. We will recommend the next best steps without jumping to conclusions.
Most screenings take only a few minutes and are done during your regular exam, so they rarely add time to your visit. You do not need to prepare in any special way.
Many plans cover screenings as part of routine preventive care, but coverage varies. Our team can check your benefits before your appointment, and we offer financing and payment plans if you need them.
Our team always listens to your concerns and gets to know you before customizing your experience to your needs. We want to ensure your comfort while bringing you the best treatments modern family dentistry has to offer.
Feel relaxed at your Lake Stevens dentist as our team takes great care of you. If you’re feeling nervous, our nitrous oxide or conscious sedation options can put you at ease. We’re in good hands here. Feel relaxed at your Lake Stevens dentist
Each time you visit, expect the same level of high-quality care with modern technology and your own dedicated provider. Discover more effective and gentle dentistry with digital imaging, lasers, same-day crowns, and more.
Dr. Jason Steinhubel opened All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Stevens in 2004 to give the community he loves a better dental experience. A member of the American Dental Association, he brings a background in forensics, dental assisting, and dental lab work to a technology-forward, family-focused practice built on prevention, education, and comprehensive care under one roof.
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