Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Oral Cancer Screening in Forestville
A careful look at the tongue, cheeks and throat can catch changes early. Forestville patients can learn what an oral cancer screening involves in Port Dover.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Forestville patients at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for ForestvilleLook beyond the teeth
A few careful minutes can find changes worth investigating.
Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, floor of the mouth, palate and throat. Early changes are often painless and easy to overlook, such as a white or red patch, a sore that does not heal or a small lump. A screening is a visual and hands-on check for these signs, and it is typically included as part of a routine dental exam.
Forestville patients receive this check during exams at our Port Dover office, and you can also book a visit to have one specific spot looked at. A screening cannot diagnose cancer on its own, but it helps identify areas that should be watched more closely or referred for further evaluation by a specialist.
Know the risks
Some factors increase risk, but anyone can be affected.
Habits and exposures that raise risk
Tobacco in any form, heavy alcohol use and years of sun exposure on the lips are well-known risk factors. Certain types of human papillomavirus are linked with some throat cancers. Age and a previous oral cancer also matter. People who work outdoors for long hours may want to pay particular attention to protecting their lips from the sun.
Why everyone benefits from screening
Oral cancer can also develop in people who have none of these risk factors. Regular screening is a simple way to watch for changes over time. Telling the dentist honestly about your habits and history helps them know where to look most carefully, but a thorough check is worthwhile for every adult patient regardless of lifestyle.
The screening
The check is quick, painless and thorough.
Looking at the mouth and lips
The dentist looks closely at the lips, inner cheeks, gums, tongue, the area under the tongue, the roof of the mouth and the throat. You may be asked to stick out your tongue or move it side to side. The dentist is looking for patches, sores, lumps, colour changes or any tissue that looks different from the area around it.
Feeling the neck and jaw
The dentist then gently feels the neck, the area under the jaw and the floor of the mouth for lumps or swelling. This part takes only a moment. If you wear dentures, they may be removed for a clearer view of the gums underneath. Let the dentist know if any area feels tender, numb or unusual during the check.
If something is found
Most findings are not cancer, but they deserve attention.
Watching a spot over time
Many unusual spots turn out to be harmless, such as irritation from a sharp tooth, a cheek bite, a denture sore or a minor infection. The dentist may suggest removing the likely cause and rechecking in a couple of weeks. Photos may be taken for comparison. If the area heals as expected, no further action may be needed at all.
When referral is recommended
If a spot persists or looks concerning, the dentist may recommend a biopsy or referral to a specialist such as an oral surgeon. This is a precaution designed to get a clear answer. Ask what the next step involves, how quickly it should happen and who will contact you, so you can plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary worry.
Between checks
Knowing your mouth helps you notice changes.
Checking your own mouth
Once a month, look inside your mouth with a mirror in good light. Check your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue and under the tongue, and gently feel your neck for lumps. If you notice a sore, patch or lump that lasts longer than two weeks, call the office rather than waiting for your next scheduled checkup.
Reducing your risk
Cutting down on tobacco and alcohol lowers your risk. Use a lip balm with sunscreen when working or spending time outdoors, which is part of everyday life for many people in rural areas like Forestville. Keep up regular dental exams, so a professional checks your mouth at consistent intervals and can compare findings over time.
Planning your appointment
Book a screening from Forestville.
Call our Port Dover office to book an exam or to have a specific spot checked. Describe the area, how long you have noticed it and whether it has changed in size, colour or feel.
Let the team know about tobacco or alcohol use and any family history, so the screening can be appropriately thorough and focused on the right areas.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Oral cancer screening questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How often should I be screened for oral cancer?
A screening is commonly part of regular dental exams, so many people are checked each time they visit. If you have higher risk factors, the dentist may suggest closer monitoring. Ask what interval suits you based on your history and habits.
Does an oral cancer screening hurt?
No. It involves looking carefully at the inside of the mouth and gently feeling the lips, jaw and neck. The whole check usually takes only a few minutes and is painless. Let the dentist know if any area feels tender while it is being examined.
What should I do if I find a sore that will not heal?
Call the dental office if a sore, patch or lump lasts more than two weeks, even if it does not hurt. Most such spots turn out to be harmless, but persistent changes should be examined so the cause can be identified and addressed.
Can a screening diagnose cancer?
No. A screening identifies areas that may need further investigation. A definite diagnosis requires a biopsy or evaluation by a specialist. If anything concerning is found, the dentist will explain the next steps and help arrange the appropriate referral.
Who is at higher risk for oral cancer?
People who use tobacco, drink heavily, have long-term sun exposure on the lips or carry certain HPV infections are at higher risk. However, anyone can be affected, which is why regular checks are worthwhile for all adults, not only those with risk factors.
Checkups and support for Forestville
Additional Services →Dental Exams and Checkups →
Regular checkups catch decay, gum changes and wear before they become bigger problems. Forestville residents can learn what an exam in Port Dover covers.
Special Care Dentistry →
Medical, developmental or sensory needs can shape how dental care works. Forestville patients and caregivers can plan arrangements with our Port Dover team.