What Are Some of the Most Well-Known Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

The professional whitening system is among the foremost well-known dentistry procedures that dentists offer. This type of procedure has been proven to get rid of unsightly stains from teeth that have changed color due to age or colored beverages. These teeth whitening services are offered in the dental office and at home as a take out tray, which can be applied by the patients themselves.

Some people may wonder if they could just use white strips sold at the drugstore. For them, it has the same materials as well as function. The fact remains that it is crucial to have teeth whitened by an expert in the field since a cosmetic dentist can adjust the treatment based on the specific needs of a patient.

Such needs include tooth sensitivity, teeth stains, cavities, and crowns, among others. Chemical whiteners that are available in the market can result in unfavorable reactions that could have been otherwise prevented when consulting an expert.

Invisalign

Invisalign is, basically, invisible braces that do not have the awkward and annoying metal parts of conventional ones. Also, they have been proven to work faster in correcting smiles. An orthodontist administers clear aligners at certain intervals during the treatment. Such aligners will cause the teeth to move upward, downward, horizontally, vertically and in a rotational direction as well.

Expert leading-edge technology has enabled dentists to customize aligners to fit the patient's teeth comfortably. Orthodontists will work out a custom treatment plan in detail to make patients see the difference whenever they receive a new set of aligners. These professionals recommend Invisalign because it not only reduces pain but it is more comfortable to use than the awkward metal braces of the past.

Veneers

Veneers are, basically, custom-designed shells often made of ceramic that can fit comfortably on a compromised or broken tooth. They are expertly designed to conceal the most bothersome teeth. They go together with tooth implants and can be used side by side with conventional dentistry.

Is it Safe to Undergo Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

The process of cosmetic dental procedures is similar to the usual dental procedures. The difference lies in the outcome. The primary goal of cosmetic dentistry is to deliver an aesthetically beautiful smile while that of regular dental work is to promote dental health. Since they have similar processes, they involve the same level of risk, which is very low. Both Invisalign and metal braces entail the least risk among all the dental procedures.

One side effect of teeth whitening is the teeth becoming more sensitive in the long run. The dentist can curb this by reducing the amount of bleach in the formula and whenever possible, customizing the patient's treatment.

At times when veneers are used together with a dental implant, the dentist needs to shave down and restructure the tooth and this may require a root canal later on. Though there have been such cases, these seldom happen.

As anyone can tell, cosmetic dentistry and regular dental procedures pose nearly the same risks. What is important is that patients should always consult the cosmetic dentist that will best address their needs to make sure they are in safe, expert hands.

Why It's Important Your Kids See A Pediatric Dentist And Transform Smiles

Parents and teachers love to watch a child's teeth sparkling and shiny with a bit of rainbow and move around as a nonstop ball of energy. Busy parents are finding solutions to focus on the child's oral health. They don't want to find a great, encouraging smile on the child's face and don't want to find a terrified face suffering in pain with tooth decay. Children with healthy teeth develop good food habits, speak coherently, perform better in school and smile their way to glory. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that parents should take their child to the dentist before their second birthday, or as soon as the first tooth appears.

Early dental checkups will help your kid's teeth healthier and remain cavity-free throughout their lives. Tooth decay or cavities is the most common chronic disease among children and young adults in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 40 percent of children have decayed by the time they reach kindergarten. A regular dental checkup will ensure their teeth and jaw are well developed, prevent the growth of bacteria which leads them to dental issues such as tooth decay or inflammation of gum tissue. Good habits and regular visits to a children's dental care center will improve the child's dental and overall health, and make them positive.

A professional pediatric dentist will provide advice to the child for maintaining their oral health so that they will have excellent dental hygiene in their adult years. As a parent, it is important to ensure preventive dental care that includes flossing and brushing your child's teeth with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and water. This will help protect their child's teeth and gums. Healthy teeth pave way for easier speech development, chewing and breathing, and retaining nutrients. It is imperative to your child's dental health that they stay away from foods rich in sugar and starch and maintain a balanced diet, eat a variety of foods from each of the five food groups. Also, parents should not allow young children to go to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice and fall asleep and help them remain cavity-free. A pediatric dentist will apply sealants and use topical fluoride agents and reduce the risk of cavities significantly.

Preventive pediatric oral health intervention will fight plaque and tartar and reduce dental expenditures greatly.

Why Would You Need A Dental Crown And What Are The Benefits Of Dental Crowns

Not many people sport a bright, sparkling and beautiful smile. This can be due to many reasons, as there may be discolored, decayed, crooked, chipped or missing teeth. This is when the dental crowns come handy and can aesthetically improve your smile.

Dental Crowns: How it works?

Dental crowns or tooth caps are used when there is a large cavity in a tooth that cannot be filled completely, and a crown is placed to protect the teeth. Sometimes the teeth may get broken or discolored or disfigured, or there may be a missing tooth causing spacing between the teeth. Tooth caps are placed to bridge the gap between the teeth and minimize the spacing. These caps are fabricated using a wide variety of materials that are biologically inactive but strong enough to be qualified as teeth. All of the dental crowns are custom-made to suit the unique requirement of patients.

Gold, ceramic and porcelain crowns

Porcelain crowns are mostly used to restore the disfigured, damaged and discolored teeth. Crowns are made of different types of material such as resin, ceramic, chitin, and metals like copper and gold. Based on the requirement, the material used to fabricate tooth caps varies accordingly. For example, in order to restore a damaged or disfigured front teeth, crowns with porcelain or ceramic are used, as they are transparent and blend well with the adjoining teeth. Molar teeth that are decayed or disfigured may be restored successfully if the crown is made of metals, alloys or even gold. Gold caps are the best as they are strong and can withstand the wear and tear of long-term usage.

Benefits of dental crowns

The advantages of dental crowns are numerous. They prevent further damage to the decayed tooth, chipped teeth and also provide strength and support to the adjacent teeth. In addition to that, tooth caps also help in the proper alignment of uneven teeth. The greatest advantage of these crowns is that they can be fixed across different age groups - child, young adult, middle-aged and older persons. Personal grooming and personality development, prosthetics in dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are gaining so much importance today. A beautiful and confident smile can add a lot to your personality and can take a long way in your personal, professional and social life. A dental crown is the brainchild of cosmetic dentistry, which has made people's lives healthier and happier in the digital age.

The Causes of Common Dental Issues

As long as you can remember, you've heard the words "cavities" and "gum disease" many times. Chances are you've had at least one cavity and one bout of gingivitis (low-level gum disease) so far in your lifetime. These tend to be the most common dental issues patients are familiar with. As there is a lot that goes on in the mouth as well as a wide range of foods and drinks that enter it throughout the day, many other dental issues can also occur. Some of these you may or may not have experienced:

Tooth Sensitivity
Chronic Bad Breath
Chronic Dry Mouth
Canker Sores
Tooth and Jaw Pain
Causes of Dental Issues
There are multiple causes of the aforementioned common dental issues. Many causes are things a patient can do something about. Below are the common dental health issue causes:

Poor dental health and hygiene.Poor dental health because the results of improper or sub-par at-home oral hygiene are the most common cause for the majority of common dental issues. The lack of flossing and inconsistency of teeth brushing can leave decaying food particles in the mouth which cause tooth decay and gum disease which can then lead to additional oral health problems such as bad breath, lost teeth, and weakened jawbones.

Trauma. Trauma to the teeth or gums as a result of an injury can damage and weaken protective tissue that can make one's mouth more susceptible to tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, jaw injury and lost teeth. The most common accidents to the mouth involve the breaking, cracking, chipping or losing of teeth. Should any of these happen, patients are to go to the nearest dentist or ER room ASAP as prompt treatment is needed to save the teeth.

Underlying overall health conditions. Autoimmune diseases such as HIV and health conditions such as diabetes can put one at an increased risk of dental health issues by making one's teeth and gums more vulnerable to infection and disease. These aforementioned conditions also lower the mouth's ability to fight off disease and infection.

Underlying oral conditions. Tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, bad breath, and canker sores can all be the results of tooth decay, gum disease or another oral infection. A sore jaw, dry mouth, and chronic bad breath can be the result of TMJ, bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding and jaw clenching) or another dysfunction in the functioning of the mouth.

There are many different causes of common dental issues. Some of the causes can be more easily reduced or dealt with by the oral hygiene habits of the patient. Others are more outside of the patient's control and will require the help of a trained dental professional.

Regular, routine dental checkups and cleanings at the dental office play an important part in the prevention, diagnosis and prompt treatment of common oral health conditions. Whether or not you feel any discomfort or notice anything abnormal in your mouth, it is highly recommended that one schedules an appointment with their dentist every six months for routine teeth cleaning and oral exam.

Why Preventative Dentistry Is Important in Prolonging the Life of Your Smile

You love your smile and you would like it to last. After all who wishes to possess a smile comprised of dentures and false teeth when they're older? A lifetime commitment to good oral health is the best way to lengthen the life of your natural teeth. While there can be unplanned trauma that can occur to one's teeth, having a beautiful, natural smile in one's old age is in the complete control of the patient. That's right, only you have the power to prevent premature tooth loss.

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Many dentists offer a service called preventative dentistry. This is preferable to the commonly utilized restorative dentistry. Preventative dentistry is just what it sounds like. This type of dentistry involves the employment of dental care techniques that prevent the growth of plaque and tartar that causes tooth decay and gum disease. A comprehensive examination of the mouth, including an oral cancer screening and x-rays, and a thorough, deep cleaning are the common preventative dental options used. Other preventative dental procedures may include the issuance of a sports mouth guard for athletes and a night sleep guard for those with Bruxism. The goal of preventative dentistry is to preserve the health and strength of the teeth and gums to discourage the development of plaque and tartar and make the teeth and gums more resistant against decay and disease.

Proper at-home oral hygiene is additionally needed for tooth decay and gum disease prevention. This form of care involves daily tooth brushing and flossing. It is recommended that one brushes his or her teeth twice a day for two minutes each time using fluoride toothpaste and a soft to a medium toothbrush. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months to avoid reintroducing stuck-on germs into the mouth. If you've been sick, change out your toothbrush afterward to prevent getting yourself sick again. Gentle, yet firm circular motions over the teeth and gums are a recommended way to clean one's mouth. Applying too much pressure or brushing too harshly can irritate and damage soft gum tissue and scrape off tooth enamel.

A twice-daily good oral hygiene routine done at home and routinely seeing the dentist every six months is the best recommended preventative dentistry measures one can take to ensure a longer life for their smile.

The Smile and Age

One's smile undergoes natural changes as one age. Good, routine oral hygiene is especially important for young children and older adults. For young children, their teeth are still developing and growing in. Good oral hygiene that's established early can set a child up with strong teeth and gums for their adult life. After a certain age, one's bone tissue in the jaw begins to naturally deteriorate and become brittle. The jawbone is what holds the teeth in place and keeps them secure when chewing. Regardless of whether you have a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits and a healthy diet, you can still lose your teeth simply because of diminished jaw bone density. The teeth themselves can also become more sensitive and brittle from a lifetime of wear and tear, which, combined with the lack of dexterity common for older adults, can make teeth more vulnerable to cavities.

While teeth and bone density naturally diminish in one's older age, a lifetime practice and commitment to preventative dental care can help prolong the life of your smile and lower one's risk of dental issues.

If it has been longer than six months since your last dental appointment, contact your dentist today to schedule your routine cleaning and examination.

Common Restorative Dental Procedures

You have been trying to make it to the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and check-up. However, life gets busy and those bi-annual dentist visits get pushed to the back-burner. Now you go to the dentist not only for a cleaning and check-up but also to have a treatment done to restore and repair the health of your teeth and gums and bring back your beautiful smile.

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Unlike preventative dentistry that aims to preserve the health of a patient's teeth and gums, restorative dentistry treats dental issues that have come up as a result of unhealthy teeth and gums or by trauma to the mouth. Restorative dentistry is more expensive and time-consuming than preventative dentistry.

Fillings. These traditionally have been made of amalgam metal that contains mercury. More dentists also now offer composite resin fillings that don't contain potentially harmful mercury and which produce a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Fillings are the most common treatment for small, isolated cavities on a tooth.

Crowns. These restorative dental restorations act as a protective covering for a tooth that has extensive, widespread decay. Crowns are toothlike in their size, shape, and color so they blend into a patient's natural smile. They are often made of composite resin or porcelain and are custom-made in an off-site dental laboratory 

Implants. Dental implants are placed where a tooth was either removed or had fallen out. Implants repair the ugly gaps in a patient's smile due to a missing tooth. Dental implants are made of three parts: a titanium post that is inserted directly into the gums, an abutment and a toothlike crown that goes on top.

Bridges. These dental restorations perform the same thing as dental implants, but when there are multiple neighboring missing teeth. Instead of inserting multiple implants next to each other, the teeth on either side of the missing teeth are used to hold the crowns in place. For many bridges, the anchor teeth will also be fitted with a crown to provide a continuous, level row of connected crowns.

Inlays and Onlays. Dental inlays and Onlays can be considered restorative or cosmetic dental procedures. Some general dentists will perform these procedures while in other situations, only cosmetic dentists will offer these services. It's a good idea to ask your dentist about whether or not they do inlays and Onlays. Both these procedures can be used to strengthen and restore teeth to their natural, healthy condition as well as enhance the look of one's smile. Patients wanting to achieve the latter with inlays and Onlays should seek the treatment of a cosmetic dentist.

Root scaling and planing. This restorative dental procedure involves repairing and strengthening one's gums. Normal, healthy gums recede a few millimeters from the bottom of teeth. Diseased gums will pull away and recede further from the teeth, giving the teeth an elongated appearance. When gums recede more than normal, "pockets" between the gum and the surface of the tooth appear. It is in these "pockets" that germs, bacteria, and plaque can accumulate in. Root scaling and planing involve the careful, deep cleaning of these "pockets." Some dental offices now offer an alternative gum treatment option that involves a tray and a specialized solution.

Preventative dentistry is the option for oral health, but restorative dental procedures are necessary should a dental issue come up. Restorative dentistry can help protect your smile from further damage and bring it back to its former, beautiful self.

If you notice something or feel pain and discomfort in your mouth, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment.

Do You Need a Routine or an Advanced Dental Cleaning Procedures?

You happen to have a random conversation about visiting a family dentist. You most likely would end up talking about the visits a family member had to make when they had a root canal, an implant, or some other dental procedure. It is commonly known that regular brushing and flossing can protect your gums and teeth almost completely; but only almost. Due to its sensitive nature and proneness to diseases, the mouth needs more attention to hygiene than most parts of our body. This is where the process of professional dental cleaning comes up.

You have probably been advised to have routine dental cleaning done every six months. And yet, even these routine check-ups come up mostly in case of vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, or people with various kinds of illnesses. And yet, even if you don't belong to one of these groups and have ignored your routine dental cleaning, there's a chance you might have to go for advanced dental cleaning. There are some things about the two that you might want to know to get an idea of what your family dentist could recommend next!

What are dental cleanings in the first place?

It is a fact not commonly known that brushing and flossing do not affect the bacteria and tartar build-up at all in some cases. A long-term situation of neglect for your gums could lead to gum diseases, ulcers, unexplained toothache, or cavities. These problems turn serious in no time at all: one day you would be chewing perfectly well, and the other day you could come to know that you need a crown or an implant!

This is where the necessity of regular dental cleaning procedures comes up. The idea is to visit your family dentist every six months for a routine dental check-up so that you know that the whole house is keeping safe and if there are any dental practices you and your family should consider changing. The procedures followed during a routine dental cleaning can vary depending upon the condition of your teeth, but they mostly have to do with cleaning the teeth using specific equipment such as a laser.

Routine cleaning is as important as brushing and flossing

Unfortunately, due to the lack of awareness regarding the importance of dental cleaning within the public domain, most people visit the dentist only when one of these problems have already occurred. In most of these cases, the first step that is taken is debridement. A thick, sticky layer of plaque builds up around the teeth which restricts proper inspection of teeth. The dentist first goes on to remove this layer so that a routine dental procedure can be followed.

The inspection involves checking for severe plaque build-up, bleeding, bone loss, or gum diseases. If none of these has happened, your family dentist or hygienist would go on to perform prophylaxis cleaning. It involves the removal of layers of plaque and calculus, and if the patient requests for it, then also tooth enamel polishing.

Why your family dentist might suggest an advanced dental cleaning

The need for advanced dental cleaning arises when something worrisome turns up in the inspection performed before cleaning. It's also more commonly known as scaling, root planing, and deep cleaning. The term "deep" cleaning refers to the part of the procedure where the dentist cleans up accumulated tartar between gum pockets and spaces between the teeth. Moreover, advanced ultrasonic equipment comes is involved in the procedure alongside regular scaling equipment.

There is no need to be afraid of an advanced dental cleaning process! We recommend going only to the best family dentist you know so that they can accurately prescribe local anesthesia to calm you down and make sure you don't feel any pain. Cleaning procedures are mostly pain-free, and it's always a good idea to make sure you don't miss your routine appointments and stay on top of your oral health!

Common mouth diseases

1. Detecting Oral Cancer

A very serious disease like oral cancer is revealed in several ways. When its signs aren't detected earlier, it's seldom overlooked and may easily advance to become life-threatening. However, when carcinoma is diagnosed at an early stage, it can easily be treated.

A dentist is an expert in recognizing its signs and manifestations, and when people visit their dentist regularly twice a year, it would be easier to detect oral cancer ahead of time. Detecting the early stages of oral cancer is the key to successfully treat it, and even if some may not observe any oral problems, their dentist will be able to do so.

A non-invasive cancer test is painless, non-invasive and takes only a minute or two to undergo. This exam captures unseen signs of tumor-causing dead tissue, which forms by a special light placed inside the mouth. A test that is pain-free and lasts for a short while that could save lives is a no-brainer.

2. Oral Cavities, Plaque and Tartar

Some small areas in the mouth cannot be reached, even when brushing and flossing with the leading brands of toothbrush and dental floss. It is harder to remove plaque as it builds up since it solidifies and becomes tartar, which cannot be eliminated without the help of a dentist.

Regular visits to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned can keep tartar from causing dental erosion or holes in teeth, which is that the way cavities develop. There are seldom any signs when cavities start, and this only causes a slight ache - even if this has resulted in tooth decay. When this happens, the patient will need to return to the dentist, who will, in turn, treat these dental problems. All of these can be prevented by having the teeth cleaned so that plaque and tartar can be treated before they destroy the teeth.

Setting an appointment for dental cleaning is much more affordable than having your teeth filled, so to save on expenses, it is best to have regular cleaning.

3. Gum Disease

The buildup of plaque and tartar causes tooth decay, and even worse, can lead to the erosion of the mouth's gum tissues. This takes place when there is an infection in the gum-tooth connection caused by tartar buildup, wherein the gum pulls away from the tooth. As this infection - called gingivitis - gets worse, this breaks down the tissue attaching the gums to the teeth.

At this stage, it has become a gum disease where the individual will most likely experience bleeding, swelling or mouth sores. Aside from breaking down gum tissue, gum disease can also break down the bone that keeps the teeth in place. This is the time when the teeth loosen or fall out completely, and this must be treated by a dentist using drastic methods.

Patients suffering from gum disease got to set more appointments with dental specialists and certainly spend extra money, since treating gum disease, depending on how severe it's going to be, may require deep cleaning, medication or even surgery. To prevent these, regular dental cleanings are a requirement to detect and treat gingivitis before it becomes hard to manage.
Knowing the most common oral diseases is extremely important for all people

Some Helpful Ways on How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Having a toothache is one of the most unpleasant experiences that one can ever experience. This is why it's important to have the wisdom to prevent cavities to avoid the pain and torment that comes with having to go to the dentist. Preventing tooth decay is easier than you think. The reason why people end up with tooth decay is that they are simply careless when it comes to looking after their teeth.

The following are simple things you can do to keep your teeth healthy and strong:

a) Brush your teeth regularly

It is ideal to brush your teeth after every meal so that plaque and food particles do not have the chance to build up. You should use a toothbrush which has soft bristles and it's also important that you change your toothbrush every three months. Take your time while brushing your teeth, use up and down strokes as you brush and also pay attention to the biting surfaces of the teeth. Brush the inside of the teeth surfaces as well, especially the back teeth. Finally, brush your tongue well because this is where bad breath usually comes from.

b) Make use of dental floss.

Dental floss will clean in between the teeth effectively. The floss can remove all remaining food particles in between the teeth where the toothbrush is not able to reach. Flossing should be done every day because it prevents the remaining food particles from causing tooth decay.

c) Use fluoride.

Using toothpaste that has fluoride will help in making your teeth resistant to tooth decay. Fluoride is known to be very useful in strengthening teeth and helping to prevent tooth decay. Therefore, it is very helpful to drink water which has a certain amount of fluoride and also to always use fluoride toothpaste when you brush your teeth after every meal.

d) Watch what you eat.

Certain foods have always been known to promote tooth decay at a very fast pace. These are sugary foods, cakes, pastries, and also sugary liquids such as juices, sodas, and sugary beverages. Avoid all sweet and sugary foods because sugar is the breeding ground of bacteria for cavities. Instead, focus on eating healthy foods that strengthen teeth, such as dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and cereals. These foods are known to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.

e) Consider sealants.

The biting surfaces of teeth are the ones that are usually attacked by cavities. Children especially may develop cavities early because they may not know how to brush their teeth well, especially the back teeth. It may be good to consider getting sealants put on the surface of your teeth or your children's teeth. This will prevent cavities because the surface of the tooth is completely protected from decay.

Go ahead and take good care of your teeth. It's a simple process and it will spare you many unpleasant visits to the dentist's chair!

It's Important for You to Know Everything About the Surgical Extraction of Teeth

There will be times and situations when it will become difficult to save your teeth. You might have to go through the surgical extraction of teeth if:

• You might have met with an accident and your teeth would have broken or chipped.

• You might have been suffering from a dental disease such as Periodontitis

• Your teeth might be crowded with adjacent teeth

In situations when a tooth cannot be repaired with the help of dental crown or dental fillings that's when surgical extraction of a tooth becomes important. The only reason why fillings and crown would be ineffective is that your teeth are badly decayed or because of a serious accident. Furthermore, if you have suffered from periodontal disease then also you are the perfect candidate for surgical extraction of teeth.

The most common type of surgical procedure carried out on teeth is the surgical extraction of teeth. In case when the tooth is visible from your gum line and it is easy for your dentist to remove it with the help of forceps then this procedure is called a simple extraction. Surgery is carried out when the tooth grows in an awkward position and it becomes important to remove the gum tissues or bone. After the surgery, your dentist will stitch the area with the purpose that it should heal on time and with ease. You will be given painkillers so that the pain can subside.

To understand whether simple or surgical extraction of teeth is required, your dentist will take x-rays. Removal of wisdom tooth is a surgical procedure because it erupts in a way that surgery is the only option. At times when performing a simple extraction, your tooth might break off. This will require the removal of the broken pieces. Hence a simple extraction will turn into surgical extraction of teeth. In the case of wisdom tooth, the bone and gum tissues will be cut. The other reasons to perform surgery will be the removal of brutally broken down teeth, tips of the root, or those teeth which are curved in shape.

After you have gone through the entire procedure of surgical extraction of teeth you will have to get stitches done. Once the procedure is over your dentist will be giving you some advice related to the aftercare. So, whether you have gone through simple or surgical procedures make sure you follow his advice and instructions. It is highly recommended to do the following:

1. To stop the bleeding after extraction bite on a gauze pad for 30 minutes.

2. Do not talk, eat or drink too much and especially 2 hours after the surgery.

3. Make sure you either drink lukewarm water or cold water. Surgical extraction of teeth leads to excessive bleeding and these liquids will control it.

4. Do not consume anything hard or something that is difficult to bite. Make sure you are on a liquid diet at least for the first day.

5. Do not rinse or even brush your teeth for the first 24 hours of surgery.

6. Do not, and we mean it, smoke, or even try drinking a cold drink with a straw.

7. In case you have continuous bleeding or pain make sure you see your dentist.

Surgical extraction of teeth can definitely send chills down the spine but then it is a very important procedure when it comes to the wellness of your teeth. With the help of anesthesia, the entire procedure is carried out and this means that you will not feel a thing at the time of surgery.

What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer

Oral cancer has become one of the most common in the world there is the same number of new cases for oral cancer as there are for cervical and testicular cancer combined. This is a very worrying statistic and cases are rising by the year, which has resulted in doctors and dentists encouraging patients to not miss their routine dental checkups, because as with any other cancer, the sooner the cancer is caught, the better chances of the treatment being successful.

Dental plans across the United States have increased in demand as oral cancer cases continue to rise. This is because dental plans enable patients to pay a nominal monthly fee and get discounted prices on their dental treatment, this can save them fifty percent, sometimes more on routine dental check-ups, which is a considerable saving in the long run.

There have been almost fifty thousand new oral cancer cases throughout the United States in 2017. Oral cancer accounts for 2.9% of new cancer cases reported in the United States each year. This particular cancer is also responsible for more than nine thousand seven hundred deaths each year across the country. This is because many people had no idea that they had cancer until they got a symptom.

With routine dental check-up, a dentist may have picked up a sign that wouldn't have been picked up if the patients didn't go for the appointment. These days dentists are aware of the growing number of cancer cases and therefore they inspect the patient's mouth, tongue, and gums for any signs that could potentially be the early warning signs of this cancer.

More than sixty-four percent of oral cancer patients will survive for five years. As mentioned earlier, the sooner this cancer is caught, the more successful treatment will be. Early cancer is normally the most effective to treat, but once it gains momentum and gets into the later stages, there aren't many more dentists or doctors can do.

Those most at risk of oral cancer and should have an effective dental plan in place to ensure that they never miss a routine dental check-up is anyone over the age of forty. Men and women get this cancer. The younger generation is also at risk, but their risk isn't that high, though the HPV, human papillomavirus, is one of the causes of oral cancer.

Other triggers for this cancer have been tobacco products of any kind, whether you smoke cigarettes or you chew tobacco, now is the time to stop. Smoking is one of the leading lifestyle choices that cause oral cancer. Alcohol consumption in the next one, especially those that drink in excess regularly.

Some of the signs and symptoms you are going to watch out for when it comes to oral cancer is red or white patches in the mouth, an ulcer that doesn't heal within fourteen days and a lump in the neck or mouth or you experience pain swallowing. Bear in mind that when this cancer first starts it is completely painless, the only signs may be red and white patches in the mouth, so ensure you have your dental plan in place and attend those routine dental checks ups and let your dentist give you peace of mind that your oral health is in good condition.

The most effective treatments for oral cancer so far include radiation or chemotherapy, sometimes both are used depending on the stage of cancer.

The Connection Between the Mouth and Body

When one thinks of his or her overall health, they probably don't think of the health condition of their mouth. Similarly, when something isn't feeling or functioning properly in his or her mouth they likely don't think that the cause may have originated somewhere else in the body or that no aspect of their overall health will be affected by their dental health issue.

Your mouth is a part of your body and is therefore connected to your overall health and wellbeing. They both are prone to disease and injury, requiring adequate care.

One can feel fine physically, but an assessment by a dentist can reveal an oral health issue that shows that all things concerning the patient's health are, in fact, not well.

Conversely, a medical issue can increase one's risk of getting certain types of oral health issues.

Below are some examples:

• Gum disease can worsen into the more serious periodontal disease as the result of diabetes and HIV/AIDS, both of which lower the body's ability to fight infections.
• Bacteria and germs from your mouth can enter the bloodstream and increase someone's risk of endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart.
• Periodontitis has been linked to premature births and low-weight births.
• Infections of the mouth caused by oral bacteria can lead to clogged arteries, heart disease, and the increased risk of stroke.
• Dry mouth is a symptom of Sjogren's syndrome, eating disorders, cancer of the neck and head, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Osteoporosis makes bone brittle and weak, including one's jaws. Those with osteoporosis may be a greater risk of bone loss in the jaw as well as tooth loss.
• The worsening of one's oral health coincides with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
• Pale gums, an overly red tongue that feels like it's burning and inflammation on the corners of the mouth are possible symptoms of anemia.
• Possible oral symptoms of kidney failure include dry mouth, excessively bad breath, abnormal, stunted tooth growth in children, ulcers on the gums and tongue, and a strong metallic taste in the mouth.

Both the body and mouth require great care to keep them both healthy, strong, and functioning properly. Disease and injury in the body can affect one's oral health and injury and disease in the mouth can negatively affect one's overall health.

Knowing that the mouth is interconnected to the rest of the body also changes how we are to go about caring for it.

If one takes his or her overall health seriously and something happened to it, how would he or she care for it? By administering medication or by stocking up on all-natural vitamins, minerals, and a healthy diet?

If one utilizes holistic medicine for their body's health, should holistic dental health practices be used to care for one's mouth?

Holistic dentistry is a safer and more beneficial way to care for one's oral health. With discoveries and the availability of more essential oils, spices, herbs, vitamins, and minerals, holistic dentistry has become a safe, healthy, and effective way to treat dental issues. Also, holistic dentistry is beneficial in improving one's overall health.