Dr. Forcioli looks for any abnormalities in the mouth during an oral cancer exam. Typical signs he checks for include red or white patches, sores, and lumps or bumps. He will visually examine the mouth and throat and feel the interior tissues of the mouth with gloved hands. He may also use a special laser to identify lesions below the surface that cannot be seen. The exam takes just a few minutes and is a part of your routine dental checkup.