Belleville Smiles Family Dentistry - Belleville

Oral Cancer Screening in Belleville

Early cancer detection for the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. Learn the signs and understand your risks.
Call 647-370-2892

The signs and symptoms of oral cancer

Oral cancer is characterized from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. With early detection, oral cancers have a high rate of successful treatment. The people at the greatest risk for oral cancers are those over the age of 45 but regardless of your age, you should opt for oral cancer screening if you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms:

  • Discoloured patches in your mouth or on your lips including white or dark red in colour.
  • Unfamiliar lumps or unusual changes in texture.
  • Canker sores that won’t heal, numb patches or persistent bleeding.
  • Unusual feeling tongue, change in sense of taste and difficulty swallowing.

The risk factors for oral cancer

There are several behaviours and conditions that are associated with a higher risk of oral cancer. These include:

  • Smoking or consuming tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco
  • Heavy or moderately heavy consumption of alcohol (especially combined with tobacco)
  • Possibility of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the mouth.
  • Excessive exposure to the sun; a lifestyle that includes lots of sun exposure.
  • A poor diet or poor eating habits.
  • Family history of oral cancer.
  • Oral cancer is more common in men than in women.
  • A history of leukoplakia (a thick, whitish-colour patch that develops inside the mouth)

Prevention, detection and treatment of oral cancer

Treatment will be planned on a case by case basis and will heavily depend on the severity, type and location of the suspected cancer.

Spotting early signs of cancer

The goal of an oral cancer screening is the early detection of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. During the exam, your dentist will look over the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. Your dentist will also feel the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or odd textures and may also feel the outside of your throat and neck for lumps.

Diagnosis and treatment

If signs of cancer are detected during your oral screening you may be asked to undergo additional testing such as a biopsy (where a small piece of the suspicious tissue is removed for lab examination) or imaging tests like Xrays, ultrasounds, CT scans or an MRI. To remove confirmed tumours, surgery or chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary.

Prevention of oral cancer

You can take steps now to help prevent oral cancer later. To help reduce your risk of oral cancer see your dentist regularly for routine exams, stop using tobacco products and drink responsibly, be mindful of your exposure to direct sunlight and use U/V protective lip balms, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and veggies and during your routine brushing and flossing rituals, remember to check your mouth for signs or symptoms so that you can report any concerns to your dentist.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any of the risk factors for oral cancer it’s a good idea to ask for an oral cancer screening at your regular dental exam. If you have discovered an unusually coloured or textured patch in your mouth or a lump or suspicious sore you’re encouraged to schedule an appointment to get it checked out.
Your dentist will examine your lips and the inside of your mouth including your cheeks, gums and all sides of your tongue. They will also carefully feel around for any lumps or unusual textures. The dentist may also feel your face, jaw, throat and neck for unusual lumps or tenderness.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water. In front of your bathroom mirror, you’ll want to examine the roof of your mouth, your lips, tongue and gums. Pull your top lip up and bottom lip down to see behind them. You may use a piece of gauze or a cotton pad to help you grip your tongue to check the sides and underside. Do your best to look at your gums, and use your fingers to feel the insides of your mouth. You’re looking and feeling for colour changes, lumps and bumps, unusual textures or tenderness. Let your dentist know if you have any sores that have not healed after two weeks.
Small, usually painless, flat patches that may appear red, white, gray or yellow with red edges. These small patches can affect any area of the mouth including the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue and the roof of the mouth. As a good rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have anything that looks or feels unusual checked out by your doctor or dentist.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Tammy Wells
3 weeks ago
After having a very disappointing experience at our last local dentist appointment supporting our son who lives with Autism, I was so thankful to meet the team at Belleville Smiles Dentistry. The team are professional, respectful and incredibly supportive to our son with extra needs. We have moved our family over and the technology and expertise is beyond our expectations. Erin, our dental hygienist is next level in her care and in her fun personality. The ladies at reception are welcoming and easy to work with! We love this new practice and are so thankful we were lead to this dental practice. Thank you team Belleville Smiles!
More
Tami McVey
1 month ago
I have never received such exceptional care from a dental practice in my more than half a century on the planet. Kindness, compassion and humour combined with knowledge, patience and a willingness to explain everything sets the bar very high. Rather than dragging my feet to make a dental appointment, I sincerely can't wait until next time I get to see everyone! BAR NONE the BEST dental office ever. Highly recommend for anyone who's tired of high-pressure sales and wants to be treated like a valued human being!
More
I haven't been to the dentist in far too long and had a lot of worries about going back to one now when I booked my appointment at 80 Millennium pkwy , all new equipment and newly built place, My hygienist Erin is so friendly and done her part with ease, was so so welcoming and easy-going and put all my concerns to rest. I would definitely recommend this office for anyone looking for a new dentist. Dr Shenoy and the entire staff are so well-mannered and helpful. Makes going to the dentist an enjoyable experience as opposed to a chore! Can't wait to come back for my next cleaning :)
More
Shashikant Nayak
2 months ago
I was at this clinic on the day they opened to the public. Despite it being just opened, the system worked like a well oiled machine. Our experience from the staff at the reception, the dentists Dr Vinutha and the hygienist Erin was exemplary. They were very professional and pleasant. Going to a dentist is never a pleasant experience for me but here I had to change my opinion. Kudos to the Belleville Smiles Family Dentistry team
More
Rick Young
2 months ago
Visited Belleville Smiles today and was very impressed with the professionalism and attention to detail. The whole staff seemed to be elated to be in the position of opening a brand new practice. Dr Shenoy was the dentist that took me on as a patient and was very attentive and knowledgeable. I also met Erin she is one of the hygienist who treated me with a great deal of respect. Good luck Dr Shenoy and staff on your new venture.
More
Tammy Wells
3 weeks ago
After having a very disappointing experience at our last local dentist appointment supporting our son who lives with Autism, I was so thankful to meet the team at Belleville Smiles Dentistry. The team are professional, respectful and incredibly supportive to our son with extra needs. We have moved our family over and the technology and expertise is beyond our expectations. Erin, our dental hygienist is next level in her care and in her fun personality. The ladies at reception are welcoming and easy to work with! We love this new practice and are so thankful we were lead to this dental practice. Thank you team Belleville Smiles!
More
Tami McVey
1 month ago
I have never received such exceptional care from a dental practice in my more than half a century on the planet. Kindness, compassion and humour combined with knowledge, patience and a willingness to explain everything sets the bar very high. Rather than dragging my feet to make a dental appointment, I sincerely can't wait until next time I get to see everyone! BAR NONE the BEST dental office ever. Highly recommend for anyone who's tired of high-pressure sales and wants to be treated like a valued human being!
More
I haven't been to the dentist in far too long and had a lot of worries about going back to one now when I booked my appointment at 80 Millennium pkwy , all new equipment and newly built place, My hygienist Erin is so friendly and done her part with ease, was so so welcoming and easy-going and put all my concerns to rest. I would definitely recommend this office for anyone looking for a new dentist. Dr Shenoy and the entire staff are so well-mannered and helpful. Makes going to the dentist an enjoyable experience as opposed to a chore! Can't wait to come back for my next cleaning :)
More
Shashikant Nayak
2 months ago
I was at this clinic on the day they opened to the public. Despite it being just opened, the system worked like a well oiled machine. Our experience from the staff at the reception, the dentists Dr Vinutha and the hygienist Erin was exemplary. They were very professional and pleasant. Going to a dentist is never a pleasant experience for me but here I had to change my opinion. Kudos to the Belleville Smiles Family Dentistry team
More
Rick Young
2 months ago
Visited Belleville Smiles today and was very impressed with the professionalism and attention to detail. The whole staff seemed to be elated to be in the position of opening a brand new practice. Dr Shenoy was the dentist that took me on as a patient and was very attentive and knowledgeable. I also met Erin she is one of the hygienist who treated me with a great deal of respect. Good luck Dr Shenoy and staff on your new venture.
More
Belleville Smiles Family Dentistry - Belleville

Request an Appointment Today

Call 647-370-2892