Regular screening for oral cancer is an important step in detecting the disease and starting treatment as soon as possible if there is evidence of cancer. During the oral exam, your dentist will check various parts of your mouth, as well as your face and neck, for any indications of potential oral cancer. You can also report any concerning symptoms to your dentist at any time, including bleeding, a sore throat that won’t go away, swelling, lumps or lesions, unexplained loose teeth, ear pain, difficulty swallowing or chewing, burning or numbness, or difficulty moving your tongue or jaw.