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What Causes Mouth Cancer

shari431@sbcglobal.net (Shari Mathew) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 15:48:52 GMT

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, can quickly appear and spread. Dentists perform oral cancer screenings to try to spot signs of this condition in its earliest stages when treatment has the greatest chance of success. Knowing what causes mouth cancer and how to reduce your risk can minimize the likelihood that you might develop this type of cancer.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Doctors classify oral cancer as one of the types of head and neck cancer, and it accounts for 3% of cancer diagnoses among Americans. It can occur anywhere in and around the tissues of the mouth, including at the back of the throat, under the tongue, on the roof of the mouth, around the gums, on the tongue, or on the lips.

Luckily, oral cancer has a high rate of survival if caught in the early stages before it spreads to other parts of the body. If the cancer remains in the mouth, the five-year survival rate is 84%, but it drops to 65% if the cancer spreads or metastasizes. During regular visits with your dentist, you’ll also have screenings for oral cancer. Therefore, making twice annual visits to your dentist can improve the chances that the doctor identifies if you have cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

What Causes Mouth Cancer?

Oral cancer happens when cell growth inside the mouth goes out of control. Many lifestyle habits or conditions correlate to mouth cancer development, but these issues do not necessarily directly cause cancer. However, the following conditions have links to increased chances of mouth cancer:

Smoking or Tobacco Use

Smoking or tobacco use can lead to many types of cancer, including oral cancer. Whether smoking includes pipes, cigars, or cigarettes, the chances of developing oral cancer increase six times compared to non-smokers. Even more closely related to developing oral cancer is smokeless tobacco use. Those who chew tobacco have a 50 times higher chance of mouth cancer than those who don’t.

Not smoking, though, does not mean that you’ll never get oral cancer. A fourth of people diagnosed with oral cancer never smoked or used tobacco.

HPV Infection

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is so common that almost every sexually active person contracts this virus at some point in their lives. However, having HPV increases the chances of oral cancer. The connection comes from specific strains of HPV that have links to higher chances of oral cancer in those under 50. Consequently, everyone should have annual oral cancer screenings, regardless of age, to get early treatment.

Heavy Alcohol Use

High alcohol use correlates with developing mouth cancer. Heavy drinking presents a similar risk as tobacco use in raising the chances of having oral cancer.

History of Other Head or Neck Cancers

If you had previous treatment for any other types of head or neck cancers, you remain at risk for developing new cancers in the same area, including mouth cancer.

Weakened Immune System

Having a weakened immune system means that your body cannot fight off infections, such as HPV, as effectively. Therefore, you have a higher chance of those types of infections impacting your oral cancer risk.

Advanced Age

Most people who develop oral cancer are over 40, but cancers, even mouth cancer, can develop at any age. Talk to your dentist if you have any concerns or notice any changes inside your mouth.

Signs of Mouth Cancer

For most people, the first sign of mouth cancer is a sore inside the mouth that persists and does not seem to get better or go away. If you have any type of sore that doesn’t heal after two weeks in your mouth, have your dentist or doctor look at it to see if you need a biopsy to determine whether you have mouth cancer.

Other signs of mouth cancer include the following:

Patches inside the mouth with red, white, or speckled coloring

Swollen glands in the neck

Drastic weight loss

Pain or swelling in the jaw

Changes in how your teeth align or fit together

Difficulty chewing or moving your jaw

Ear pain, which could indicate referred pain from the mouth or throat

A feeling of something stuck in the throat

Lump inside the mouth

Oral pain

Having any of the above symptoms does not mean that you have cancer. However, they do indicate that you need to see your dentist for a closer evaluation—many of the symptoms of oral cancer overlap with dental problems. You need a professional to examine you to find out whether you need cancer testing.

How to Protect Yourself from Oral Cancer

You can do some things to reduce your chances of developing oral cancer or getting early treatment for it.

First, if you use any form of tobacco product, quit. While some non-smokers do develop mouth cancer, you significantly reduce your chances by foregoing tobacco use.

Second, cut back on alcohol use. Heavy drinking correlates to higher cancer risks. Reducing your intake of alcohol can help to keep your entire body healthier, including lowering your mouth cancer chances.

Third, enjoy a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. With a balanced diet that includes foods packed with vitamins and minerals, you help your whole body to maintain good health.

Fourth, don’t neglect your dental appointments. Dentists serve at the front lines as the first doctors to identify problems inside the mouth that could be oral cancer. By having regular exams, you may not reduce your chances of developing cancer, but you do have a better chance of getting treatment early when survival rates are at their highest.

A healthy lifestyle overall can reduce your chances of developing oral cancer, but because even people with good habits and health develop cancer, you still need to get regular screenings from your dentist.

Get Regular Oral Cancer Screenings and Great Dental Care at Matthews Family Dentistry

Good oral care starts with keeping your teeth and gums healthy. See our team of dental professionals at Matthews Family Dentistry for the dental care you need. Contact us for an appointment to get oral cancer screenings, a dental checkup, professional cleaning, cosmetic dental services, or snoring consultation. As we say at our practice, “Happiness begins with a smile.” Let us help you to get a healthy smile.

Veneers vs. Implants: What is the Best Option?

shari431@sbcglobal.net (Shari Mathew) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 14:47:42 GMT

Everyone wants a great-looking smile, but tooth loss or damaged teeth can impact how your grin looks. Veneers and implants offer ways to repair damaged smiles. These solutions work to correct different problems, though. So, the better option will be the one that your dentist recommends based on the health of your teeth and dental concerns.

Comparing Veneers vs. Implants: What Are They?

Veneers and implants have different uses and definitions, though both can help make your smile look better. The first stage in comparing these options is knowing what each is.

What Are Veneers?

Dental veneers consist of very thin pieces of lab-created porcelain that fit over the front parts of healthy teeth to correct minor cosmetic flaws. You need to have a healthy tooth in place to support the veneer.

Unlike bonding, which doesn’t last as long, veneers are irreversible since the dentist needs to prepare the teeth for them by removing enamel.

When you wear veneers, the teeth supporting them can still experience decay, so you need to continue to have good dental hygiene. Avoid putting your veneer-covered teeth under excessive pressure, which can happen from teeth grinding or biting down on hard foods.

Once you have your veneers placed, they should last for ten years or longer. Many patients can enjoy up to 20 years from their veneers before needing to have them replaced due to scrupulous care of their teeth and veneers.

What Are Implants?

Dental implants replace missing teeth in your mouth or support dentures to replace all of your upper or lower teeth. These dental fixtures are permanently fixed into your jaw.

Each implant includes a titanium screw the dentist places inside your jaw, the abutment on top of the screw, and the crown that fits onto the abutment as a permanent tooth replacement. For those who wear implant-supported dentures, the abutments support the denture arch.

Thanks to the design of implants, which closely mimic natural teeth, you have a replacement for a missing tooth that functions, looks, and feels completely natural. Plus, when you have implants, you avoid the natural bone loss that happens when you lose a tooth. The implant screw stimulates your jaw to maintain its bone density and structure.

For implants, you need to dedicate several visits to the dentist, but your finished implants can last a lifetime.

Implants vs. Veneers: When Do You Need Them?

Implants and veneers serve different purposes. Dentists recommend each in specific situations, so you will likely need one or the other. Needing both veneers and implants would only happen if you have a tooth that needs cosmetic correction and a missing tooth that needs a replacement.

When Veneers Help

Veneers restore minor appearance problems with your front teeth. For example, if you have a gap between your front teeth, the dentist can place veneers on your two front teeth to cover the space between them and conceal the gap.

If you have individually discolored teeth, which some people have after root canals or trauma, a veneer covers the discoloration, hiding it from view.

Minor chips or misshapen teeth also benefit from the ability of veneers to fit over the front of the tooth and hide problems.

Basically, your dentist will fit you with veneers if you have healthy teeth that don’t look great when you smile.

Why You May Need Implants

Implants can replace any missing teeth in your mouth, not just those on the front. By getting a dental implant, you avoid the issues that missing teeth cause:

Teeth misalignment from other teeth shifting into the gap

A hole in your smile

Bone loss at the site of the missing tooth

Dentists can replace one or even all of your teeth with single-tooth implants or implant-supported dentures. So, if you need a tooth pulled or already have a missing tooth, talk to your dentist about implants.

Processes for Getting Veneers vs. Implants

The processes for veneers and implants are very different. The former is non-surgical and doesn’t even need anesthesia. The latter requires surgery to ensure proper placement of the screw and other implant parts.

How a Dentist Places Veneers

When you get veneers, the dentist will need to prepare your tooth for the thin shell by removing a little of the enamel. This shaping process does not cause pain but makes the process irreversible.

After getting images of your teeth to send to the lab techs who create the veneers, you may need to wait a couple weeks before your final, custom-produced veneers arrive at your dentist’s office.

The dentist will then bond the veneers to your teeth to finalize the process and give you a restored smile.

When wearing veneers, keep your natural teeth clean and bright because they can stain while your veneers remain unstained, which causes them to stand out. With good care, you can have your veneers for ten years or more.

What Happens When You Get Implants

When you get dental implants, the dentist schedules several visits to ensure that your mouth heals properly between them. First, you’ll have the titanium screw implanted into your jaw. After this surgery, you will wait as your jawbone fuses with the screw. Once healed, you’ll have one or two additional procedures to place the abutment and crown or dentures.

Implants produce long-term results, and you may only need repairs or replacement of the crown tooth replacement or dentures. No one will be able to tell that you have implants in place because they look so much like regular teeth. In fact, because they feel just like natural teeth, you may even forget that you have implants, too.

Consult with a Dentist to Find Out Whether Veneers or Implants Will Help Your Smile

Let us at Matthews Family Dentistry help you to get a more beautiful, complete smile. Our dentists offer many cosmetic procedures, including veneers and implants. Contact us and set up your visit for a consultation to see how we can improve your smile.

Tips for Good Oral Health

blessonv@icloud.com (Blesson Varghese) — Sun, 31 May 2020 22:58:39 GMT

Maintaining good oral health at home during the COVID-19 pandemic

While we are all being asked to stay home as much as possible, preventative home care and good oral hygiene is now more important than ever. The good news is you and your family can do things right now to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Here are our tips for maintaining your oral health:

Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. If you have not already, make the switch to an electric toothbrush. They have been shown to improve plaque removal and offer the highest levels of oral hygiene, which is crucial at this time when we are not able to see our dentist or hygienist for cleanings and checkups.
Clean between your teeth daily. Flossing or use of a small brush designed to clean between your teeth is the best way to remove plaque where your toothbrush will not reach.
Eat a healthy diet and exercise. There are many things that can affect your risk for gum disease including age, genetics, poor nutrition, and stress. Taking time for meal planning, limiting sugary beverages and snacks, and setting aside time for health and wellness is extremely important. This will help you manage stress during these times and are great for your total body wellness.
Eat detergent foods. There are some foods called “detergent foods” that can actually help to clean your teeth as you chew! Some of these include carrots, apples, celery sticks, cucumbers, and cheese.
Families with small children. When you have children at home, good nutrition is essential. It is important to remember that small children should not be put to bed with anything in their bottle other than plain water.
Keep hydrated and drink lots of water. When your mouth is dry, plaque accumulates and the harmful bacteria can increase your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Change your toothbrush. It is recommended that you change your toothbrush at least every three months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. If you or a family member has been sick, it is also a good idea to replace your toothbrush, including the toothbrushes of others in your family.
Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to keep your teeth and gums strong. Depending on the time of year, you may or may not always have the luxury to get outside as much as you would like to soak up Vitamin D from the sun. The good news is that you can receive Vitamin D from many foods like tuna or salmon, and cheese and egg yolks. And some beverages like milk and orange juice often come fortified with Vitamin D. Make sure to check the label.
Increase the power of fluoride. Fluoride works with your body’s natural defenses to help strengthen your teeth enamel and fight off cavities. We often get our fluoride from tap water and toothpaste that includes fluoride. But many of us mistakenly rinse off the fluoride we receive too soon. For example, if you are using a mouthwash right after you brush, you are rinsing away a lot of the fluoride that you just got from brushing your teeth. Instead, give that fluoride some time to work by waiting at least 30 minutes before rinsing, eating, or enjoying a beverage.
Find a good angle. When you brush your teeth, the position of the bristles is important. Your toothbrush head should be at a 45-degree angle near your gum line. Continue with this angle when you clean the inside surfaces of your teeth and gums. Always brush using a circular movement. And keep it going for a full two minutes.
Brush more than your teeth. Plaque and bacteria can gather on more than your teeth. They find their way unto your tongue, gums, and the roof of your mouth. Take a full mouth approach and make sure you are cleaning these areas as well. When cleaning your gums, keep that 45-degree angle and take care to brush gently and use short strokes. Do not scrub. Your gums can recede from too much force.
These teeth are made for eating. Emergencies are never fun, especially when you are social distancing. Skipping the scissors and using your teeth to rip off price tags from new clothing has sent many people to the dental chair. Other big no-no’s to avoid include opening up plastic packaging, or potato chip bags with your teeth, or even worse, using your teeth as a bottle opener. All of these activities can easily lead to cracks or chips in your teeth. Remember, your teeth are not designed to be tools. Using them for ripping, tearing, or opening is very hard on your pearly whites.

While we all stay home to help each other move past COVID-19, make sure to take some time to look after your teeth and gums. Your oral health is very important to your overall health.

And you are important to us!

Oral Hygiene – Dental implants

blessonv@icloud.com (Blesson Varghese) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:56:39 GMT

Dental Implants and their Maintenance Routine

Effective home care cleaning techniques are necessary for patients with dental implants.

Different methods are utilized for the fixed prosthesis, the fixed detachable prosthesis and the removable prosthesis.

While dental caries is no longer a problem, peri-implant gingivitis and peri-implant osteitis are concerns for patients who have dental implants.

Techniques and the tools available are recommended by us to enable dental implant patients to keep their dental implants plaque-free and consequently, free of peri-implant infection. Please Visit us for more details.

Keep up your home care

blessonv@icloud.com (Blesson Varghese) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:51:54 GMT

A note from our hygienists

Keep up your home care: Be sure to brush 2x/day, 1/2 on the gums 1/2 on the teeth, start on bottom inside always, and a full 2 minutes at least 1 of those times. Floss, Soft picks, or Water Pik which ever your preference at least 1x/day. If you have periodontal concerns, please Electric Brush if you are able and Water Pik 1x/day are strongly recommended.

We all seem to be baking more and eating more carbs during this stressful time. Due to this it is so important to brush more, floss more and use a rinse, chewing gum, or mints containing xylitol or erythritol ( both shown to reduce the bacteria causing decay). Fluoride rinse is also a good deterrent for people whom are high risk cavity patients ( some one who has 3 or more cavities within a 36 months period, person with high sugar intake)

We miss you all, air hugs to you all! We can't wait to see you soon. We will send out a message once we are back at work.

Please remember that our office is open for any emergencies or any questions you may have.We are just a phone call away.

Sandy, Diane, Lisa, Jesse,and Karissa