Tag - preventative dentistry

Mouth Screening For Early Cancer Detection: Is It Necessary?

If you are planning on getting in touch with a dentist for yet another routine dental checkup, it would be a wise idea to ask about screening your oral area for cancer. According to official statistical data, nearly 50,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2017.

And, of course, it is 100% apparent that such regular dental checkups with oral cancer screening can be extremely beneficial when it comes to detecting oral cancer early on. According to American Dentist, some individuals have a much higher risk of suffering from oral cancer and cancer of the throat, tonsils and even the back of the tongue.

Gender

Men are two times more susceptible to forms of oral cancer, and the American Cancer Society concluded that this is mainly because of the fact that tobacco and alcohol use is significantly higher in men.

Age

The official statistical data once again demonstrates that the vast majority of people diagnosed with some form of oral cancer are generally over 55 years old.

Tobacco

Any kind of tobacco products will increase your risks of developing oral cancer. Smoking cigarettes, pipes, cigars and pipes may easily result in lung cancer and oral cancer is not all that far behind. People who prefer to smoke pipes are far more susceptible to lip cancer, while individuals who chew tobacco may be diagnosed with yet another extreme form of cancer – cancer of the cheeks.

Alcohol

It is a known fact that seven out of ten patients that were diagnosed with oral cancer were also heavy drinkers. Men who consume more than two drinks every day and women drinking at least once every day are already deemed as heavy drinkers. Should you be drinking and smoking, your chances of being diagnosed with some form of cancer will rise dramatically.

Sunlight

If you work all day under the sun, there is a risk of getting lip cancer, so you need to remember to use sunscreen.

Diet

If you are not eating properly, you will be more susceptible to oral cancer. If you are not ingesting enough vegetables and fruits, you are  more susceptible to oral cancer and cancer in general.

One way or the other, though, in order to keep things under complete control all the time, it is very important to make sure you go for  regular dental checkups. After all, only a qualified, experienced dental expert will have what it takes to provide you with all the latest information and all the updates on the matter.

If you are interested in really getting the most from your dental health checkup and you want a real industry expert to do all the work, we simply cannot help but recommend that you visiting your dentist to make sure everything is fine with your mouth as well as your teeth.

Ways To Keep Your Teeth Healthy And Clean

We all know the old saying that actively claims that beauty will save the entire world one day. This really is a pretty accurate saying, given just how influential beauty already is in our society. And, it is all about the details – real beauty doesn’t just mean a slim body and healthy skin – a nice smile is also adds a whole lot of appeal to your look in general.

With that said, if you really want to have a healthy, genuinely beautiful smile, you should follow some pretty straightforward rules and recommendations. These will allow you to really make the most of your teeth and will help you achieve great results. Hence, here is a list of the top five things you should do to keep your teeth healthy and clean for longer:

  • Throughout the day, you consume food and certain bacteria. Furthermore, food debris can get stuck in your teeth and may have a pretty negative impact on your teeth in general. So, it is important that you brush at least twice a day. In order to achieve better results, you will need use fluoride toothpaste. Furthermore, you shouldn’t forget that you should brush for at least two minutes to get the desired effect. The bristles on your toothbrush will need to be soft. Moreover, you will need to replace your toothbrush with a new one every couple of months or when the bristles wear
  • Flossing prior to brushing will also be extremely beneficial for your teeth. Flossing actually prevents tartar and plaque from forming on your teeth. However, just make sure that you use special floss that is recommended by the best dental care experts out there.
  • You take your car for regular maintenance every single year. Well, your teeth are no different. It is very important to have dental checkups at least twice a year. That way, should any problems occur, you will be able to deal with them in a painless, preventative way. You will be able to stop your teeth from decaying, spot any signs of caries, and so much more. So, be sure to get in touch with your local dental expert to get your best checkup possible.
  • Odds are, you’ve also heard the old saying that claims we are what we eat. It is a pretty accurate saying as well. Hence, if you really want to keep your smile nice and healthy, do yourself a favor and stay away from sugar, sports drinks, and alcohol. Stick to a healthier diet, do not eat gummy things, make sure to drink plenty of water, and you are most definitely going to be fine. A healthy diet is extremely important if you want healthy teeth.
  • Stay away from smoking – do you even need an explanation for this? Regardless of whether you are smoking tobacco or chewing it, it will make you more prone to the gum disease and a number of forms of cancer. Furthermore, smokers usually find themselves dealing with bad breath, which is also pretty unpleasant.

Hence, if you want to keep your teeth clean and safe all the time, do not hesitate to follow the above-mentioned tips and recommendations, or call our Sherman Oaks dentist for a free consultation at (818) 789-3508