Oral Cancer Screening

At every dental visit, whether you're seeing us from Roanoke, Salem, or Daleville, our team pays close attention to much more than just your teeth. Your mouth contains a surprisingly large surface area, and while its soft tissue typically heals quickly, it can also be vulnerable to changes that need monitoring or further evaluation.

Oral cancer can affect anyone, though tobacco users—especially those who chew tobacco—are at significantly higher risk. Chewing tobacco contains over 3,000 harmful chemicals, including substances used in pesticides and embalming fluid. Unfortunately, changes beneath the surface often go unnoticed until the disease has progressed to a more critical stage.

At our Roanoke dental office, we emphasize the importance of early detection. Catching oral cancer in its early stages dramatically improves treatment outcomes. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, resulting in around 7,000 deaths. If we notice anything unusual in your mouth tissue during your exam, we may recommend a biopsy and microscopic analysis through a trusted lab.

Not all tissue changes are cancerous. Non-cancerous conditions such as oral warts, autoimmune lesions, and other abnormalities are also common. With his background in oral pathology, Dr. Rhodes, your experienced Roanoke dentist, is equipped to determine whether a spot should be removed, treated, or simply monitored over time.

And if you’re using tobacco and want to quit, we’re here to help. Many of our patients throughout Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, and Daleville are health-conscious but struggle with tobacco’s addictive hold. Talk with your hygienist or Dr. Rhodes about support and resources—we're committed to being your partner in better health.