April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Oral and pharyngeal cancer kills roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours a day. The incidence of oral cancer deaths is higher than most of the cancers that we hear about, such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and skin cancer.
The death rate attributed to oral cancer is not because of difficulty in diagnosis, but rather that symptoms often go unnoticed until it is in a very advanced stage.
There have been two main causes identified as being linked to oral cancer: 1) long term use of tobacco and alcohol and 2) exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which is also the most common cause of cervical cancer in women.
Warning Signs of Oral Cancer:
Oral cancer usually appears as red, white or discolored lesions, patches or lumps in or around the mouth, including the lips, gum tissue, tongue, cheek lining and roof of the mouth. It is usually painless in the early stages, and often goes unnoticed, so screening at routine dental exams is recommended.
Call us right away if you experience:
- Mouth sores that persist longer than two weeks
- Pain, soreness or numbness in any area of the mouth or lips
- Swelling, growths or lumps anywhere in or about the mouth or neck
- White or red patches in the mouth or on the lips
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or persistent hoarseness
VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening System
Our office uses the VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening System to help us detect this deadly disease. VELscope® is an oral examination system for the detection of abnormal soft tissue that can be an early warning sign of oral cancer. Using a revolutionary safe blue light technology that is completely pain-free, we are able to view different fluorescent responses that help differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue and reveal conditions that should be investigated further.
If you have questions about oral cancer and would like to learn more, please Contact Us.
references Oral Cancer Foundation http://oralcancerfoundation.org/ American Dental Association® http://www.ada.org/Related links:
Rebuilding Your Smile
We often see new patients in our practice that have avoided seeing the dentist for years because of fear of treatment, or, fear of the costs involved in repairing their smile. Some are even embarrassed about the condition of their mouth. As dental care professionals, we know it is never too late to bring health back to a smile, we just need a plan.
Oral Health is a Priority
Having a healthy mouth is really important to the rest of your body – bacteria that cause periodontal (gum) disease have been linked as a risk factor to systemic conditions, including diabetes, respiratory illness and heart disease. Dental infection is a very serious concern for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
We are committed to working with our patients to create solutions to help them work through challenges that stand in the way of their own oral health.
Where do I start?
If you or a loved one is struggling with broken-down teeth or an ill-fitting dental appliance, the first step is a complete dental examination with necessary xrays. Our doctors can assess where you are today and talk with you about options and collaborate with you to build a plan that works for your schedule and your budget.
Affording Your Smile
Addressing your dental needs now vs. later will save money in the long run. If we can treat a tooth with a filling or a crown and avoid a root canal, that is a significant savings!
We offer low-interest, third party financing and can help you through the application process. If you have dental insurance, we will help you get the most from your coverage. We can also strategize on ways to phase your treatment to maintain your oral health and work within your budget.
If you have questions about rebuilding your smile, please Contact Us – we would be glad to help!
Learn more about restorative options:
Dental Implants
Restorative Dentistry
Beating Bad Breath
If you or a loved one suffers from halitosis, or bad breath, it is important to know that it could be a sign of an underlying condition, and you should have it checked out by Drs. Baxter and Marshall or your physician.
What causes bad breath?
Sometimes bad breath occurs when we eat spicy foods, onions or garlic. This is temporary, and will usually go away in 24-72 hours with good oral hygiene.
Frequent bad breath is most commonly caused by the accumulation of food debris and bacteria in the mouth. When this is not removed with regular brushing and flossing, oral bacteria breaks down the food particles and creates waste, which produces a sulfur compound and causes an unpleasant odor.
Periodontal (gum) disease can make it very hard to clean your mouth, and is often a contributing cause for bad breath. If you have obvious dental problems or bleeding gums, please Contact Us to schedule a dental examination so that we can help you get your smile healthy again.
Don’t Ignore Chronic Bad Breath…
Bad breath may also be the sign of a medical disorder, such as diabetes, kidney or liver problems, sinusitis, bronchitis, gastrointestinal issues or respiratory tract infections. Stress, diet, snoring and hormonal changes can also affect your breath.
Smoking is harmful in so many ways, it is also a source of bad breath. We encourage our patients to ask us for help with quitting.
Many medications and cancer treatments can cause Xerostomia (dry mouth), which reduces saliva flow and contributes to bad breath. Drs. Baxter and Marshall or your physician may recommend artificial saliva supplements to provide relief for medication side effects.
Our doctors may refer you to a physician if they suspect that bad breath is not related to your oral condition or routine causes alone.
What you can do to prevent bad breath:
A clean, healthy mouth is the best defense – we recommend that patients brush and floss thoroughly twice a day. The key is to completely remove any food particles from the teeth, tongue, cheeks and roof of the mouth, especially before going to bed. Tongue scrapers are handy for cleansing the tongue surface, or gentle brushing with a toothbrush will work just fine.
Some patients also respond to a regimen of sugar free gum, mints, or special mouthwashes. Be sure to check with our hygienists to find out which products will work best for you. And, stay up to date on your preventive visits with us. We can help you keep your smile and your breath fresh and healthy!
WIN FREE WHITENING!
A Great Reason to SMILE!
Register for a chance to win a Complimentary Home Whitening Kit*
Drawing will be held March 7, 2012
Stop by our office or
ENTER ONLINE
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE WHO THE LUCKY WINNER IS! 
* Limit 1 entry per person please. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. We may advise you to postpone your whitening procedure if any disease or infection is evident upon a cursory oral examination.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Each February, dental professionals across the country work together with teachers and child caregivers to raise awareness about dental health.
If you are involved with a school, employer, church group or community organization that would like for us to present a lecture on oral health education, please Contact U
s – we would love to help!
The American Dental Association® sponsors educational resources and information that is available to the public to help promote good dental habits and oral health education.
Parents and Educators, please check out these links to the American Dental Association® web site:
Interactive games, videos and fun dental health information for kids.
Download and print coloring sheets and educational materials for your students
Dental Health Update: Have you heard about Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease is an oral infection that is caused by harmful bacteria that penetrate between the teeth and the gums. This progressive disease slowly destroys gum tissue and supportive bone in its path, and, if left untreated, can cause teeth to become loose and fall out.
For adults, periodontal disease becomes more likely than tooth decay as we age. Brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist become even more important to prevent this destructive disease.
The Mouth-Body Connection
Not only is periodontal disease an oral health concern, it can be a complicating factor for other health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory illness. The increased bacteria and inflammation levels in the mouth are also a risk factor for expectant mothers.
Studies show that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can actually be passed through saliva to others, making it possible to spread periodontal disease through common contact between family members and couples.
Drs. Baxter and Marshall and our dental hygienists continually study current ongoing research about periodontal disease to diagnose and treat this destructive problem as early as possible. At each examination visit, we will “measure” your gums to look for early signs of infection and provide you with up-to-the-minute information on prevention of periodontal disease. Shadows between teeth on dental xrays can reveal areas of concern that are not visible to the naked eye.
Common signs of periodontal disease are bleeding and swollen gums, persistent bad breath, and gum recession.
In most cases, periodontal disease does not hurt. If you believe that you or a loved one may have periodontal disease, please Contact Us to schedule a complete dental examination with necessary xrays and take control of your oral health.
Congratulations to our Kindle Fire Winner!
Congrats to our winner of the Kindle Fire drawing, Doug Garrison and his wife Barbara Garrison!!
They have promised to keep us updated on all the cool ‘apps’!
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FRIENDS & FANS THAT ENTERED OUR DRAWING !
WIN A KINDLE FIRE!! Enter our Drawing
Enter our drawing for a chance to win and begin the New Year with a fun new gadget!!
DRAWING TO BE HELD JANUARY 17TH, 2012
Stop by our office to enter or Enter Online for a Chance to Win!
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE WHO THE LUCKY WINNER IS! 
Limit 1 entry per person please. You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
Should I use my Dental Insurance this Year or Next Year?
Do you have dental insurance? You may not know that most dental insurance plans “start over” on January 1st. Meaning, that if you have a plan maximum of $1,000 or $1,500 for example, your 2011 benefits end on December 31st and you begin 2012 with a new allowance. Many Health Flex Spending Accounts function the same way.
Why is this important to me?
If you have dental treatment needs, you may be missing out on maximizing your coverage between now and the end of the year. Most insurance and health flex spending plans are a “use it or lose it” benefit; the annual benefit “re-set” can actually cost you money.
Planning for your oral health
Many major dental services, such as root canals and periodontal services, can be phased. During this time of year, we can sometimes look for ways to complete an initial phase of treatment using this year’s benefits, and follow with the next phase in the upcoming new year.
- A “this year, next year” approach allows you to get the most from your coverage and complete your treatment in a timely manner to achieve the best results.
If you have dental treatment needs, we can help you with a strategy to use your insurance coverage effectively. Contact Us Today and take advantage of the benefits that you worked hard for!
TIME IS RUNNING OUT – ENTER OUR DRAWING TO WIN A SONICARE TOOTHBRUSH!!
ENTER & WIN!!!
Drawing to be held October 26, 2011
Stop by our office to register
or
ENTER ONLINE
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE WHO THE LUCKY WINNER IS!
