Oral Cancer Screening in Walnut Creek, CA
Early detection starts with a simple screening.
A Simple, Life-Saving Exam — Included in Every Checkup
Oral cancer is a serious but often overlooked condition that affects thousands of Americans each year. At Elevated Dentistry in Walnut Creek, we take a proactive approach by performing oral cancer screenings as a routine part of your dental exam and cleaning.
Using both a traditional visual/tactile exam and advanced VELscope® technology, our dentists can detect abnormalities in the soft tissues of the mouth — often before you notice any symptoms yourself.
Early detection is critical, and this quick, non-invasive screening could quite literally save your life.
What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening is a preventive exam that looks for early signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Cheeks
- Gums
- Throat
- Roof and floor of the mouth
Our dentists visually inspect the tissues and gently palpate (feel) areas around your face, neck, and jaw for any irregularities. When needed, we enhance the screening using VELscope, a non-invasive light that highlights tissue changes invisible to the naked eye.
Why We Use VELscope Technology
VELscope® is a cutting-edge oral screening device that uses blue-spectrum light to reveal cellular changes in your mouth. Healthy tissue fluoresces under the light, while abnormal or suspicious areas appear dark.
Benefits of VELscope include:
- Enhanced detection of early-stage lesions
- Non-invasive and completely painless
- Fast — takes just a few minutes
- Helps identify areas needing further evaluation
VELscope doesn’t diagnose cancer, but it helps us flag abnormal tissue for referral or biopsy if needed.
Who Should Get Screened?
Everyone. Oral cancer can affect people of all ages — even those without traditional risk factors. That said, you may be at higher risk if you:
- Use tobacco (smoked or smokeless)
- Consume alcohol regularly
- Have a history of HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Spend significant time in the sun (lip exposure)
- Have a family history of cancer
At Elevated Dentistry, oral cancer screening is included in all routine exams — because prevention is a core part of our general dentistry philosophy.
What Happens If We Find Something?
If we spot an abnormality during your screening, we may recommend:
- Monitoring the area for changes over time
- Taking photographs or detailed notes for your file
- Referral to an oral surgeon or specialist for further evaluation or biopsy
Most findings are benign — but we take every concern seriously and act quickly when something needs attention.
Serving Walnut Creek and East Bay Communities
Elevated Dentistry provides VELscope oral cancer screenings to patients throughout:
- Walnut Creek
- Pleasant Hill
- Concord
- Lafayette
- Danville
- Alamo
Our location off Lennon Ln makes it easy for East Bay patients to access compassionate, comprehensive care close to home.
FAQs About Oral Cancer Screenings
What is oral cancer screening?
Oral cancer screening is a quick, painless exam your dentist performs to check for signs of cancer or precancer in the mouth. It typically includes a visual check and a gentle palpation of soft tissues.
How does VELscope detect oral cancer?
VELscope uses a blue-spectrum light to detect abnormal tissue fluorescence. It helps identify cellular changes beneath the surface that may indicate early signs of oral cancer.
Does oral cancer screening hurt?
Not at all. It’s non-invasive and only takes a few minutes. The screening involves looking inside your mouth and gently feeling your neck and jaw area.
Is oral cancer screening included in a dental exam?
Yes — at Elevated Dentistry, we include oral cancer screening as part of every dental exam and cleaning.
What are the signs of oral cancer?
Early signs may include persistent sores, lumps, red or white patches, numbness, or difficulty swallowing. However, many cases are symptom-free in early stages — which is why screenings are so important.
Early Detection Can Save Lives — Get Screened Today
Oral cancer screenings are fast, painless, and essential. Whether you’re coming in for your first visit or a routine exam, our team uses advanced tools like VELscope to help detect problems before they become serious.