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 Teeterville
A quick screening checks the mouth, tongue and throat for changes. Teeterville patients can learn what is examined, which signs to report and next steps.
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.
Care for Teeterville households, provided at our Port Dover office
Browse every dental service for TeetervilleLooking beyond the teeth
A few minutes of careful checking can catch changes early.
An oral cancer screening is a visual and hands-on examination of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, palate, floor of the mouth and neck. The dentist looks and feels for patches, lumps, sores or texture changes that are not typical. Most findings turn out to be harmless, but noticing unusual tissue early gives more options if something does need attention.
For Teeterville patients, a screening is often part of a regular checkup at our Port Dover office. You can also call between visits if you notice a sore or patch that is not healing, so the dentist can take a look and decide whether monitoring or referral is the right next step.
Know the signs
Pay attention to anything that lingers.
Changes worth reporting
A sore, ulcer or patch that has not healed within about two weeks, a red or white area, a lump or thickening, persistent hoarseness, a feeling that something is caught in the throat, numbness or unexplained bleeding are worth having checked. Many of these have ordinary causes, but persistence is the key reason to seek an assessment rather than wait.
Factors that raise risk
Tobacco use in any form, heavy alcohol use, prolonged sun exposure to the lips and certain types of human papillomavirus infection are associated with higher risk. Age and a history of previous cancer also matter. Having risk factors does not mean you will develop cancer, and people without them can still be affected, so screening matters for everyone.
The screening
The examination is quick and painless.
Looking at the soft tissues
The dentist uses a light and mirror to look carefully at your lips, inner cheeks, gums, tongue, including its sides and underside, the floor of the mouth and the back of the throat. You may be asked to stick out your tongue or move it side to side. Denture wearers should remove their appliance so covered areas can be seen properly.
Feeling for lumps
Using gloved fingers, the dentist gently feels the tissues inside the mouth and around the jaw and neck for lumps, swelling or tenderness. The whole process usually takes only a few minutes. Let the dentist know about any spot that has been bothering you, even if it seems minor, so it can be checked during the screening.
If something is found
An unusual finding does not automatically mean cancer.
Monitoring a suspicious area
Many patches and sores are caused by irritation from a sharp tooth, a rough denture, cheek biting or an infection. The dentist may remove the likely cause and ask you to return in a couple of weeks to see whether the area heals. Photos or measurements can help compare changes over time. Keep that follow-up appointment even if the spot seems better.
Referral for further assessment
If an area looks suspicious or does not heal, the dentist may refer you to a specialist for further examination or a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is tested. A referral is a precaution, not a diagnosis. Ask what the dentist has seen, why referral is recommended and how quickly you should expect to be contacted.
Reducing risk
Healthy habits and regular visits work together.
Lifestyle choices that help
Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol and using lip balm with sun protection when working or spending time outdoors can lower risk. If you would like support to quit smoking or chewing tobacco, ask your physician or pharmacist about available programs. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is also associated with better overall oral health over time.
Keeping up with checks
Regular dental visits give the dentist a chance to notice changes you might not see yourself, especially in hard-to-view areas like the back of the tongue. Between visits, take a moment now and then to look inside your mouth with good light. If anything new appears and lingers, call our Port Dover office rather than waiting for your next checkup.
Planning your appointment
Screening appointments from Teeterville.
Ask about an oral cancer screening when you book your next checkup at our Port Dover office. If you have a sore or patch that has lasted more than two weeks, call sooner and describe it to the team.
Note when you first noticed the change, whether it hurts and any habits such as tobacco use, so the dentist has a full picture.
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
Screening questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Does an oral cancer screening hurt?
No. It involves the dentist looking at and gently feeling the tissues of your mouth, jaw and neck. It is quick and usually done during a regular checkup, so it rarely adds much time to your appointment.
How often should I be screened?
Many dentists include a screening at routine checkups. People with higher risk factors may benefit from closer monitoring. Ask the dentist how often screening is appropriate for you based on your own history and habits.
What does it mean if I am referred?
A referral means the dentist wants a specialist to look more closely at an area. It is a precaution and not a diagnosis. Many referred areas turn out to be harmless, but further assessment provides certainty.
Can young people get oral cancer?
Oral cancer is more common in older adults, but it can occur at younger ages, including cancers linked to certain types of HPV. Screening is useful for adults of all ages, particularly anyone with risk factors.
What should I do if I notice a sore that will not heal?
Contact the dental office if a sore, patch or lump lasts more than about two weeks. The dentist can examine it, look for a cause and decide whether monitoring or referral is the appropriate next step.
Exams that include screening
Additional Services →Dental Exams and Checkups →
Regular exams catch small problems early. Teeterville patients can learn what a routine checkup includes, how often to come in and what to tell the dentist.
Special Care Dentistry →
For patients with medical, developmental or cognitive needs, Teeterville families can learn how to share information and plan visits that suit the individual.