Tag Archives: find a dentist

Oral Cancer Awareness: Symptoms and Risk Factors

12 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Adult Dentistry, General Dentistry

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April is Oral Cancer awareness month, so DentistUSA.com would like to take the time educate our readers about Oral Cancer.  There are many factors that affect the development of oral cancer.  According to WebMD, they include:

  • “Smoking: Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
  • Smokeless tobacco users. Users of dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco products are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lining of the lips.
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more common in drinkers than in nondrinkers.
  • Family history of cancer.
  • Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.”

Though the majority of oral cancer cases are in individuals who smoke or drink, 27% of the people who get oral cancer have no risk factors at all.  More than 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. 

Dentists will usually conduct an oral cancer screening exam at your visit.  They will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face and oral cavity.  Some dentists even offer an advanced screening exam called vizilite screening at your checkup to look for symptoms of oral cancer.  Below, you can find a video explaining this screening process:

We highly recommend making twice yearly visits to your dentist as the earlier it is caught, the better chances you have of treating the cancer.

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

01 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in General Dentistry

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Photo via Google.

Popular TV Chef Paula Deen recently announced that she was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  While Type 2 Diabetes occurs slowly over the course of many years, it can be caused by unhealthy food consumption and tends to me more common in overweight or elderly people.

Type 2 Diabetes is usually diagnosed by a physician who administers a fasting blood test or a hemoglobin test, but did you know that your dentist can also help with your early diagnosis?

Most dentists require patients to fill out health care forms that ask about their family health history since that history often has a correlation to one’s health.  In addition to family history, there are quite a few telltale signs in your mouth that might signal you have diabetes.  According to the American Dental Association, they are:

1) Loose or sore teeth
2) Fungal mouth infections
3) Dry mouth
4) Ulcers
5) Cavities

Coupled with your medical history, these signs may raise red flags that a diabetes test is important.   If your dentist sees these signs, they are likely to recommend that you visit a primary care physician where your physician can run tests for diabetes.

If you absolutely adore Paula Deen’s recipes, MSN Today came up with a few alternative recipes to some of her most popular dishes.  What these recipes come without: all the fat that is associated with bad health and diabetes.

To find a local dentist, visit www.DentistUSA.com.

8 Things to Try at Home to Help Prevent Cavities in Children

23 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by in General Dentistry

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Since 1949, the American Dental Association has sponsored National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness for healthier teeth at home.  We spoke with Dr. Scott Goldman of Northwest Chicago to compile a list of best oral hygiene practices at home with your child to ensure their brightest and healthiest smiles!

  1. Start early!  Wipe off gums with a damp cloth after your infant has fed.  Milk is sweet and this preventative measure can help your child’s teeth.
  2. Teach them to brush: “Parents should make brushing into a part of the daily routine, morning and night, two times a day,” says Dr. Goldman.
  3. Get creative in the bathroom: Use a timer that makes noise to encourage two minute brushing.
  4. Use a mild flavored, non-fluoride toothpaste until they are old enough to learn to spit it out.
  5. Stand behind them as they brush to help them learn properly.
  6. Never allow your child to sleep with a bottle in their mouth.  If they need as a comfort measure to get to sleep, remove it as soon as they’ve fallen asleep.
  7. Choose nutritious snacks in place of snacks high in sugar.
  8. Do not allow your child to snack throughout the day; children who have scheduled eating times tend to get less cavities.

Follow these tips in addition to early childhood dental visits to prevent tooth decay and painful procedures.  If you’d like to read how to prepare your child for their first dental visit, go here.

Dr. Scott Goldman attended the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign for his undergraduate studies and the University of Illinois at Chicago for dental school.  Following dental school, he completed a two year post-graduate specialty training program at the University of Illinois at Chicago pediatric dental program.  His practice is limited to the treatment of infants, children, teens and those with special needs.  In his spare time, Dr. Goldman is an avid hockey player and enjoys spending time with his wife and son.