Oral cancer screenings are quick, painless examinations performed by a dentist or healthcare provider to check the mouth, throat, and neck for early signs of cancer or precancerous changes. These screenings are often part of routine dental visits and are designed to identify abnormalities such as red or white patches, sores that do not heal, lumps, or unusual tissue changes. Early detection is critical, as oral cancer is far more treatable and has significantly better outcomes when caught in its earliest stages. During the screening, the provider performs a thorough visual examination of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, palate, and throat, looking for suspicious color changes or lesions. This is followed by a physical exam, where the tissues inside the mouth are gently felt and the neck and jaw are checked for enlarged lymph nodes or lumps. Some dental offices may use enhanced screening tools, such as special lights (e.g., VELscope) or dyes, which help highlight abnormal tissue that may not be visible to the naked eye, as noted by organizations like Mayo Clinic. Oral cancer screenings are especially important for individuals at higher risk, including those who smoke, use tobacco products, drink alcohol heavily, or have a history of HPV infection. Patients are also encouraged to perform regular self-exams at home and report any persistent sores, color changes, numbness, pain, or difficulty swallowing that lasts longer than two weeks. If anything suspicious is found during a screening, the dentist may recommend further evaluation, such as a biopsy or imaging, to determine whether cancer or precancerous changes are present.