Oral Cancer

Dear friends,
According to National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 35,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with oral cancer which affects the mouth and/or part of the throat.

My patients oral health is my main concern and it doesn't stop with diagnosis and treatment of dental cavities and gum disease. Having detected lesions of the oral cavity which have been diagnosed as malignant, I know the importance of early detection of oral cancer.
You can help reduce your risk of oral cancer by avoiding the use of tobacco products and drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation.
It is also important to inform your dentist if you notice any sores in your oral cavity that last over 2 weeks or if you see/feel any persistent changes in your throat or mouth that don't go away i.e. lumps, swellings, numbness, coughing, difficulty swallowing or eating.
To read more on this topic you may copy and paste the link below.

http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/DentalPatient_0510.pdf

Your Oral Health is Important to Your Total Health!

Hope you are staying dry and safe! It sure rained and came down pretty hard! The flowers are looking so pretty today, have you noticed?

Going back to teeth, people always ask me how do I keep my teeth and gums healthy? My answer is you need to brush and floss and see your dentist regularly.

A soft toothbrush is recommended and better yet an electric toothbrush. It is important to brush softly without scrubbing your gums and teeth to avoid gum recession. You can also damage the enamel on your teeth which leads to an unattractive and unhealthy smile. However, it is very important to not avoid the gumline because plaque accumulation can lead to gingivitis (gum inflammation) or more serious periodontal problems. Also, if plaque is left on teeth, it can lead to cavities.

Flossing is necessary to keep the teeth and gums healthy. I particularly like using Glide floss (waxed) for my own teeth and recommend it to my patients. It doesn't shred and makes you feel clean by reaching the difficult and tight spaces. Some people need to floss and brush more often than others. It is based on your individual needs and I always make sure to instruct every patient according to their own individual needs. After a thorough examination of the teeth and oral tissues, I can also advise you better and tell you what else you can do to keep that beautiful smile healthy.

Just remember, your head is part of the rest of your body and if you want to keep your heart healthy then among other things, you need to keep your mouth and oral tissues healthy as well.