Oral Cancer Screening in Elkhorn, NE

What Is Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening is a thorough examination of your mouth, tongue, throat, cheeks, lips, and surrounding tissues to check for signs of cancer or pre-cancerous changes. It typically takes just a few minutes and can be completed during your routine dental cleaning and exam.

Our goal is to detect:

• Unusual lumps or thickened tissue
• Persistent sores or ulcers
• Red or white patches in the mouth
• Irregularities in texture or color
• Difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness
• Any other abnormalities that may warrant further evaluation

If we notice anything suspicious, we’ll discuss the next steps and may refer you to a specialist for additional testing or biopsy.

Why Routine Screenings Matter

More than 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer each year — and the survival rate increases dramatically when it's caught early. Unfortunately, oral cancer can go unnoticed in its early stages, especially if you’re not experiencing pain or visible symptoms.

Routine screenings during your regular dental visits provide an important opportunity to detect subtle changes that you might not otherwise notice. As your dental care provider, we see inside your mouth more often than your physician does — making us a key partner in your long-term health.

Who Should Get Screened?

Oral cancer can affect anyone, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing it. You may be at higher risk if you:

• Use tobacco (smoking or smokeless)
• Consume alcohol regularly
• Have a history of HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Have prolonged sun exposure (linked to lip cancer)
• Are over age 40
• Have a family history of cancer

Regardless of your risk level, we believe every adult patient should receive regular oral cancer screenings — because early detection can be lifesaving.

What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening

An oral cancer screening is quick, painless, and typically completed in under five minutes as part of your preventive visit. Here’s what to expect:

1. Visual Examination
   Dr. Mizner will inspect your lips, tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, throat, and floor of the mouth for any discoloration, sores, or patches.
2. Palpation (Touch)
   He may gently feel areas along your jaw, neck, and cheeks to check for lumps or unusual texture under the skin.
3. Discussion and Next Steps
   If anything appears out of the ordinary, we’ll explain our findings and discuss whether monitoring or referral to a specialist is appropriate.

There’s no special preparation required — and no additional cost when included with your routine general dentistry exam.

How Often Should I Be Screened?

For most adults, oral cancer screening is recommended once a year, typically during your biannual dental exam. If you have known risk factors, we may recommend more frequent evaluations.

Our comprehensive care philosophy means we’ll keep track of any changes over time and communicate clearly about anything we observe — so nothing slips through the cracks.

Supporting Your Whole Health, Not Just Your Smile

At Mizner Family Dental, we view the mouth as a window to your overall health. That’s why services like oral cancer screening, nutritional counseling, and digital dental technology are woven into your care — not treated as optional add-ons.

We want every patient to feel empowered, informed, and supported — whether you’re here for preventive care, restorative dentistry, or simply to protect your long-term wellness.

Serving Elkhorn and Surrounding Communities

Located at 2929 N. 204th St in Elkhorn, NE, our office serves patients from across:

• Omaha
• Papillion
• La Vista
• Bellevue
• Elkhorn and neighboring areas

If it’s been more than a year since your last exam — or if you’ve noticed unusual changes in your mouth — now is the time to get screened.