Oral cancer refers to cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, sinuses, and throat. It affects over 54,000 people in the U.S. every year, and unfortunately, many cases are caught too late.

You may be at higher risk if you:

• Use tobacco (smoking, vaping, chewing)
• Drink alcohol heavily
• Have a history of oral cancer
• Spend a lot of time in the sun (lip and skin cancer risk)
• Have a weakened immune system or genetic predisposition
• Have been exposed to the HPV virus (a growing cause of oral and throat cancers, especially in younger non-smokers)


Fact: HPV-related oral cancers are now more common than cervical cancer from the same virus—and rising in adults under 50.

Think of this screening like a mamogram for your mouth. Our team uses safe, blue light-based technology to illuminate tissue changes that can’t be seen with normal light—like subtle cellular shifts that may indicate a pre-cancerous change.


✔ It’s non-invasive

✔ It takes less than 2 minutes

✔ It’s painless and stress-free

✔ It could save your life


We pair this technology with a thorough visual and tactile exam of your tongue, gums, cheeks, palate, and neck at every visit. It’s the gold standard of care and early detection.  We also take a look at your face and lips.  This is part of our commitment to both your dental health and your overall health!

Many people forget that your lips and face are part of your skin, too! 

If you’re outdoors often, especially in sunny weather, please don’t forget to:

• Use lip balm with SPF of at least 30
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when in direct sun


Let's Talk About Your Lips!  Sun exposure is a major risk factor for lip cancer—Here’s why:
The lower lip, in particular, is highly vulnerable to sun damage and squamous cell carcinoma.
Most over-the-counter SPF 15 lip balms don’t provide enough protection for extended or daily sun exposure.
SPF 30 or higher with broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) coverage is ideal.  For best protection, Reapply every 2 hours
or more often if you're eating, drinking, or licking your lips.  If you can, choose a product with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide when possible—these stay on better and block more UV.

What About Your Face?  
To protect the face from skin cancer and premature aging, dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher—ideally SPF 50 for daily use.  

Why SPF Matters for the Face
The face gets the most cumulative sun exposure of any body area. That’s why:
✔Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are most common on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and temples.
✔Melanoma frequently develops on the face in both men and women.
✔UV damage also accelerates wrinkles, age spots, and broken capillaries.

Minimum Recommended SPF for the Face

✅ SPF 30 is the absolute minimum
✅ SPF 50 is preferred for daily outdoor exposure
✅ Product must be broad-spectrum (protects against UVA + UVB)

Best Practices
Apply at least a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to the entire face, including ears and hairline.
Reapply every 2 hours if outside, sweating, or wearing no makeup.
For daily wear, tinted SPF moisturizers or mineral sunscreens (zinc or titanium dioxide) are ideal.
Don’t forget the nose, ears, under the eyes, and the jawline—these are common cancer sites.

• Smoking and chewing tobacco dramatically increase your oral cancer risk
• Heavy alcohol use combined with tobacco increases risk even more
• Family history of head and neck cancers could mean a genetic predisposition


Our goal is never to judge—only to protect. If you fall into any of these groups, it’s even more 
critical to keep up with regular screenings.

Oral cancer doesn't discriminate—it can affect anyone, regardless of success or status.


• Michael Douglas brought national attention to HPV-related oral cancer with his 2010 diagnosis.
• Eddie Van Halen battled tongue cancer and later died from throat cancer in 2020.
• Jack Klugman lost a vocal cord to throat cancer but returned to acting with his iconic voice.
• George Harrison of The Beatles passed away in 2001 from throat cancer linked to years of smoking.
• Roger Ebert, beloved film critic, lost his jaw and speech due to complications from oral cancer, but continued inspiring through his writing.

• Val Kilmer battled throat cancer for years before passing away, bringing national attention to cancers of the mouth, airway, and neck. He underwent a tracheotomy after his throat cancer severely affected his airway and vocal cords and: 
• He lost his natural voice and could no longer speak normally.
• He relied on a tracheostomy to breathe.
• Much of his communication had to be done through voice technology in his later years.

These stories, while incredibly difficult, reveal an important reality: cancers of the lips, mouth, and airway can advance silently and quickly, until the damage is irreversible. That’s why routine screening and early detection isn’t just recommended—it’s critical to saving function and saving lives.

Your health involves much more than just your smile, and we take that responsibility to heart. Our commitment to total wellness means we’re not just looking at teeth—we’re watching for signs of oral cancer, skin cancer, airway issues, and anything that could affect your overall health. The trust you place in us is something we never take lightly, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity to care for you with that level of responsibility.