Buccal Smear Test – Indications, Procedures, Results
A buccal smear test is also called the Sex chromatin test, a Buccal swab test is a test where cells are taken from the cheek and it is fast, non-invasive, relatively comfortable, and can yield larger sample sizes than other collection methods. Cells are collected by scraping the cheek with a cotton swab is the painless removal of a sample of cells from the inside of your mouth (cheek). The cells can be used for genetic testing, as well as evaluated for the presence of Barr bodies (a mass seen in a normal female sex chromosome) aneurism, microdeletion syndromes, and a variety of polymerase chains reaction-based molecular genetic tests. The buccal mucosa is the lining of the cheeks and the back of the lips, inside the mouth where they touch the teeth.
By far the most frequent buccal cell type in cheek swabs were the pink non-keratinous superficial squamous cells (mean 70.5% of epithelial cells in children and 73.9% in adults), followed by the orange keratinous superficial squamous cells (mean 27.6% of epithelial cells in children and 19.6% in adults) and the blue
How the Test is Performed
The health care provider will gently scrape the inside of the cheek with a small spatula to collect cells for testing. Sometimes, you can do this yourself.
How to Prepare for the Test
Rinse and wash the mouth as instructed. The way it works is that the swab collects sample cells from the inside of your cheek, which contain DNA information in the form of buccal epithelial cells. Buccal sample swabs are generally preferred by those looking for DNA testing because they’re much less invasive than a blood test
How the Test will Feel
You will feel a scraping sensation as cells are removed from the cheek.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is done to get cells for chromosome or DNA analysis, most often for genetic testing.
This test may also help establish sexual identity. When the test is used in this way, it’s called the sex chromatin test.
Risks
There are no risks.
FAQ
What cells are found in buccal smear?
- By far the most frequent buccal cell type in cheek swabs were the pink non-keratinous superficial squamous cells (mean 70.5% of epithelial cells in children and 73.9% in adults), followed by the orange keratinous superficial squamous cells (mean 27.6% of epithelial cells in children and 19.6% in adults) and the blue.
Why is a buccal swab used to collect a DNA sample?
- Many law enforcement facilities prefer buccal swabbing to other sample collection methods because it is fast, non-invasive, relatively comfortable, and can yield larger sample sizes than other collection methods.
What is the purpose of a buccal smear?
- A buccal smear is a test where cells are taken from the cheek. Cells are collected by scraping the cheek with a cotton swab. The cells can be used for genetic testing, as well as evaluated for the presence of Barr bodies (a mass seen in a normal female sex chromosome).
What is a buccal swab and why is it important?
- A buccal smear is a noninvasive, fast, and relatively inexpensive diagnostic method for collecting genetic material. It is used for sex determination as well as aneusomy, microdeletion syndromes, and a variety of polymerase chain reaction-based molecular genetic tests.
What is the buccal mucosa?
- The buccal mucosa is the lining of the cheeks and the back of the lips, inside the mouth where they touch the teeth.
How much DNA is in a buccal swab?
- When compared to other oral sampling methods, such as buccal swabs or mouthwash, a 2mL saliva sample collected with Oragene yields approximately 11% bacterial DNA, substantially lower than mouthwash at 66% and cytobrushes at over 88% bacterial DNA.
Why are cheek swabs used for DNA fingerprinting?
- The way it works is that the swab collects sample cells from the inside of your cheek, which contain DNA information in the form of buccal epithelial cells. Buccal sample swabs are generally preferred by those looking for DNA testing because they’re much less invasive than a blood test.
Can a saliva DNA test be wrong?
- Many people question the accuracy of a saliva swab because it isn’t invasive. However, you can have peace of mind knowing a mouth swab test is just as accurate as any other DNA test collection method. And, unlike the finger prick or blood test, it certainly doesn’t hurt at all.
When is the best time to do a saliva DNA test?
- As long as you haven’t eaten, drank anything, or chewed gum within the last 30 minutes, you can take your DNA sample at any time. Most customers find it the easiest to collect their DNA sample first thing in the morning, before brushing their teeth, on the day of the sample pickup.
How long does it take for a buccal swab to come back?
- The general detection window in oral fluids is 5 to 48 hours, but again, that window can be longer for people who use a substance often or for a long period of time.
Can you eat before the cheek swab?
- In the morning before eating is ideal. Otherwise, wait for at least 30 minutes after eating for the food particles to clear out of the mouth.
How do you fail a saliva DNA test?
- There are several points at which a saliva sample can fail to yield high-quality genetic data. Firstly, the saliva sample may have been compromised, either by the collection tube leaking in transit or by a failure of the preservative solution to mix with the saliva after collection.
What can be found in a buccal swab?
- A buccal swab, also known as a buccal smear, is a way to collect DNA from the cells on the inside of a person’s cheek. Buccal swabs are a relatively non-invasive way to collect DNA samples for testing. Buccal means cheek or mouth.
What happens if you eat before the DNA test?
- Avoid putting anything in your mouth for at least an hour prior to collecting cheek-cell samples. Foreign particles from food, liquids, toothpaste, and tobacco byproducts don’t alter the DNA but they can mask it. The consequence is that the sample becomes degraded and therefore unusable for paternity testing.
Can I drink water before the DNA test?
- Do not eat, drink (even water), smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes prior to providing your sample! If we are unable to analyze your first sample, you will be provided with a free replacement kit!
What happens when a mouth swab turns blue?
- There will be a change in color when a sufficient amount of data has been collected. Hence, if you’re wondering what it means when a mouth swab drug test turns blue, it means that enough saliva has been collected to provide an accurate test. This color change is beneficial for a collector’s awareness.
What does it mean when a mouth swab drug test turns blue?
- Once the Oral-Eze sample adequacy window turns blue indicating that a sufficient sample has been collected, instruct the donors to simply place their thumb on the ridges of the collector handle and slide forward (not push down) to detach the pad into the collection tube.
How long does sperm DNA last in a woman?
- We know that sperm cells are found in the female reproductive tract for seven days after ejaculation or longer.
What cells are found in buccal smear?
- By far the most frequent buccal cell type in cheek swabs were the pink non-keratinous superficial squamous cells (mean 70.5% of epithelial cells in children and 73.9% in adults), followed by the orange keratinous superficial squamous cells (mean 27.6% of epithelial cells in children and 19.6% in adults) and the blue.
What is the purpose of a buccal smear?
- A buccal smear is a test where cells are taken from the cheek. Cells are collected by scraping the cheek with a cotton swab. The cells can be used for genetic testing, as well as evaluated for the presence of Barr bodies (a mass seen in a normal female sex chromosome).
How much DNA is in a buccal swab?
Starting Material: | Human buccal swabs |
---|---|
Elution Volume: | 150 µl |
DNA Yield: | 1-3 ng/µl in 150 µl (Normalized Buccal Cell Kit) or up to 6µg (Buccal Cell Kit) |
DNA Size: | Varies (depends on the quality of starting material) |
What are the symptoms of buccal mucosa?
- white, red, or dark patches in the mouth.
- lump inside cheek tissue.
- mouth pain or numbness.
- soreness or a feeling that something is caught in your throat.
- difficulty moving your jaw.
- severe ear pain.
- hoarseness.
- loose teeth or pain around your teeth.
How do you treat buccal mucosa?
- How is buccal mucosa cancer treated? Early-stage cancer of the buccal mucosa is often treated with surgery. Advanced cancer cases may require a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
What causes buccal mucosa?
- The buccal mucosa is the lining of the cheeks and the back of the lips, inside where they touch the teeth. The development of cancer cells or tumors in this area leads to carcinoma buccal mucosa, which is a type of oral cancer. It generally starts in the squamous cells that are thin and flat, and line the lips and the mouth.
How is buccal smear done?
- A buccal smear is a test where cells are taken from the cheek. Cells are collected by scraping the cheek with a cotton swab. The cells can be used for genetic testing, as well as evaluated for the presence of Barr bodies (a mass seen in a normal female sex chromosome).

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices.