Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic children’s disease in the country?
National Children’s Dental Health Month is celebrated each February to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.
It is very important that parents establish good oral health care habits for their children at a young age so that they will have lifelong healthy teeth and gums. This includes routine visits to the dentist every 6 months.
In less than one month you’ll be celebrating the New Year and you will be celebrating a little more knowing you didn’t allow your 2016 Health Savings Account dollars to evaporate. Remember to use up your accumulated HSA insurance account; those hard-earned dollars do not rollover like the minutes in your cellular plan. Call us today to make an appointment or get more details.
There isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, but a healthy lifestyle can really reduce its impact on your life. What you do every day makes the difference: eating a healthy diet, being physically active, taking medicines if prescribed, and keeping health care appointments to stay on track.
No One should face breast cancer Alone.
Oral cancer often occurs on the tongue, gums, floor of the mouth, and tonsils. Oropharyngeal cancer affects the oropharynx, or the throat in the back of the mouth.
Risk Factors:
Smoking and tobacco use are the major risk factors of oral cancer. The combination of heavy alcohol consumption with tobacco use makes the development of oral cancer 15 times more likely than those who abstain.
Age is also often considered a risk factor since it occurs most frequently in people over 40, however the fastest growing segment of the population that is being diagnosed with oral cancer are nonsmokers under the age of 50.
Certain strands of the human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause various types of oral cancer, however, out of 200 strands of HPV, only nine are strongly associated with the risk for cancer.
Signs and Symptoms:
The sensitivity of your mouth makes oral cancer difficult to detect in its early stages. Generally, you want to look for white or red patches in your mouth, or a small ulcer similar to a canker sore. If an abrasion in your mouth doesn’t heal after 14 days, it is best to see a dentist for a screening.
Common symptoms of oral cancer or pre-cancerous cells include:
•A change in the way the teeth fit together
•A color change in the oral tissues
•A tiny white or red spot/sore anywhere in the mouth
•Any sore that bleeds easily or refuses to heal
•Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
•Lumps, thickenings, rough spots, or crusty areas
•Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
Early Detection is Key:
Early discovery of mouth cancer can increase life spans, reduce the number of treatments, and greatly increase quality of life post-diagnosis. That is why we provide oral cancer screenings at each of your hygiene visits. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please make sure you let your hygienist and Dr. Tingzon know.
Friday, February 5th marks a campaign from the American Heart Association to promote the awareness of heart disease in women. Rifle through your closet until you see Red and then show your support!
“Floss more often.” We say it all the time, but only because we know that folks don’t floss regularly. Flossing keeps your gums healthy and healthy gums can protect you against gingivitis and even heart disease. Those are two really good reasons to take the time to floss every day. So wrap a string (floss) around your finger and remember to care for yourself every day!
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; every October marks a renewed national campaign to increase awareness of the disease.
Most of us know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer. It may be a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or themselves. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
An early detection plan is the best way to catch the disease in its early stages. This includes monthly self-exams, clinical exams during an annual gynecological visit, and mammograms. When breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%
A healthy life-style of eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and being active can reduce the risk factors of breast cancer and other illnesses.
The mouth is a very important part of our overall general health. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, more than one-third of all cancer patients develop complications that affect the mouth. These can be mild to severe side effects and can include mouth sores, infection, dry mouth, sensitive gums and jaw pain. A dentist should be part of the cancer care team.
It is important to evaluate a patient’s dental health and discuss treatment options prior to starting cancer treatment. By treating areas of concern the possible dental side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation can be reduced.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office. Dr. Tingzon and her staff truly care about their patients and helping them achieve and maintain optimum oral health.
All this year, in 2015, you have accumulated dollars in the form of a spending account or paid deductibles. All that cash will evaporate in a few short months. Call us now to schedule your appointment so we can get you in before the year-end. Remember, if you don’t use those dollars, you lose them; call us now!
Summer is the time to be outside playing hard! When you put on those pads, don that helmet or lace up those blades, remember to protect your teeth. Mouthguards aren’t as big and bulky as they once were; check out this brief video: Click to Watch
