OralID®

At Burlingame Dental Studio, preventive dentistry means looking beyond your teeth. Your mouth can show early signs of changes in your overall health, including oral cancer and precancerous tissue changes. That is why we offer oral cancer screenings with OralID®, a simple, non-invasive fluorescence technology that helps our dental team see areas that may not be as noticeable under standard white light.

Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, throat, tonsils, and other soft tissues of the mouth. In many cases, early changes can be subtle and easy to overlook at home. With regular dental visits and advanced screening technology, our team can help identify areas of concern earlier and recommend the appropriate next steps.

If you are due for a dental exam or have noticed a sore, spot, lump, or change in your mouth that has not gone away, we encourage you to schedule a visit with Burlingame Dental Studio in Burlingame, CA.

OralID is a handheld oral cancer screening device that uses fluorescence technology. During the screening, a special blue light is shined into the mouth. Healthy tissue typically appears with a natural fluorescence, while abnormal tissue may appear darker and require closer evaluation.

The screening is quick, comfortable, and does not require dyes, rinses, or special preparation. OralID does not diagnose cancer by itself. Instead, it gives our dental team another way to evaluate the soft tissues of your mouth and determine whether an area should be monitored, rechecked, or referred for further testing.

Oral cancer screening is designed to help find cancer or lesions that could become cancer as early as possible. Many dentists include oral cancer screening as part of regular dental visits, and additional screening tools may be used to help evaluate sores, red patches, white patches, or other lesions.

Early evaluation matters because some oral cancers may not cause obvious pain or symptoms at first. The American Cancer Society lists possible warning signs such as a sore that does not heal, persistent mouth pain, a lump or thickening in the lips, mouth, or cheek, red or white patches, difficulty chewing or swallowing, numbness, jaw swelling, voice changes, or a lump in the neck. If these symptoms last more than a few weeks, it is important to see a dentist or doctor.

Oral cancer screening can be valuable for many adults, even those without obvious risk factors. You may especially benefit from regular screening if you have a history of:

Even if you do not have these risk factors, it is still important to mention any unusual changes in your mouth during your dental visit.

Your screening is straightforward and comfortable. First, our team will review your health history and ask about any symptoms or changes you may have noticed. Then we will visually examine your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, palate, throat area, and other oral tissues. We may also gently feel the tissues of your mouth, jaw, and neck to check for lumps or areas that feel unusual.

Next, we use the OralID light to evaluate your oral tissues with fluorescence technology. If we see an area that needs attention, we will explain what we found and recommend the next step. That may include monitoring the area, scheduling a follow-up visit, or referring you for a biopsy or specialist evaluation.

A screening is not a cause for alarm. Many mouth sores and lesions are not cancer. However, when something looks unusual, it is always better to take a closer look.

Please contact Burlingame Dental Studio if you notice:

These symptoms can have many causes, but if they last more than a few weeks, they should be evaluated by a dental or medical professional.

Burlingame Dental Studio is proud to provide modern preventive dental care for patients in Burlingame and nearby communities. Our team uses advanced dental technology to support thorough, comfortable exams and help patients feel confident about their oral health.

Whether you are visiting for a routine cleaning or you have noticed a specific area of concern, we are here to help you get answers and peace of mind.

If it has been a while since your last dental exam, or if you have noticed a sore, patch, lump, or other change in your mouth, schedule an appointment with Burlingame Dental Studio today.

Burlingame Dental Studio serves patients from Burlingame, San Mateo, Millbrae, San Bruno, Hillsborough, Foster City, Redwood City, South San Francisco, and surrounding communities.