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| What Age Should Oral Cancer Screenings Start? |
Posted on 6/15/2019 by Ankur Johri |
As you get older, your body changes. The older you are, the higher the risk is for many different medical conditions. One condition where the risk is higher as you get older is oral cancer. That is why people need to consider age when they start to think about oral cancer screenings. They need to think about what the right age is to start regular oral cancer screenings. The Different Risk Factors Different people face different risks when it comes to their chances of oral cancer. Some of the major risk factors include genetics. This is something that you cannot control, but will help determine your need for oral cancer screening. When it comes to factors you can control, tobacco use is at the top of the list. Smoking is a risk factor, but people who use smokeless tobacco products are at an even higher risk. In addition to tobacco, other risk factors include excessive alcohol use, overexposure to sun, STDs and a weakened immune system. There is No Set Age While there are recommendations for what age to get screened for breast cancer or colon cancer, there is no set age for oral cancer. Young children are not at a high risk, but that does not mean that they should not get any screening for possible signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer screening is something that can occur during the annual visits to our office. If a person has one or more of the risk factors, they may want to get a more thorough screening at least once a year. The screening is not an invasive procedure and there is no reason not to get it done no matter how young or old you are. Contact our office to schedule an appointment to learn more about this or any other oral health issue....
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| We Offer Several Sedation Options for Your Oral Surgery |
Posted on 5/30/2019 by Ankur Johri |
When you ask people why they avoid trips to the dentist, one of the most common answers is they are afraid it will end up being a painful experience. Many people assume that all the dental procedures we perform involve significant amounts of pain. This is far from the truth. Not only does modern dentistry help alleviate much of the pain associated with the different procedures we perform, we also offer different types of sedation. With the right sedation, the amount of pain people feel is minimal if at all. The type of sedation we use depends on the procedure we do and the needs of the patient. These are the three most common forms of sedation we offer. Local AnestheticThis is the type of pain medication most people associate with the dentist. A needle delivers medication to the area we are going to treat to numb the area. This medication can last for several hours and can allow us to perform many procedures without any pain. Some people fear the pain of the needle, but if we use a topical desensitizer before the needle, that pain is not a problem either. Gas Most people have heard of laughing gas. It is nitrous oxide and can cause a feeling of euphoria. When properly used, it can help a person go through different procedures without feeling any pain. This type of sedation can affect people in different ways. Some people fall into a deep state of semi-consciousness while others remain more alert. One of the good things about laughing gas is it wears off fairly quickly, especially when oxygen is given to the patient. Oral SedativesMedications such as diazepam can help many people that need sedation, but do not want needles or gas. These are oral medications that are easy to take and very effective. Like all sedation medications, the amount of sedation depends on the type of oral medication and the dosage used. There is no one perfect form of sedation for each patient and each procedure at our dental offices. Some people want a combination of sedation methods. Our goal is to make every visit to our office a painless and pleasant experience. If sedation helps with that, it is a good thing. For more information about this and any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment....
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| Signs You Have Uneven Jaw Growth |
Posted on 5/20/2019 by Ankur Johri |
Many people who suffer from uneven jaw growth may not even be aware of their condition until it starts to cause serious problems. Knowing that your jaw is uneven can help you take preventive actions and seek out treatment before things get worse. Having said that, here are some signs that your jaw growth may be uneven. Difficulty Speaking or ChewingDo you find that you are beginning to slur your words? Perhaps you are developing a lisp when you speak? While these conditions could have a number of causes, one potential cause is uneven jaw growth. If you notice these symptoms, especially if you have other symptoms, you should come see us as soon as you can. We can take a close look and determine whether your jaw is growing evenly or not. Likewise, if you suddenly develop problems properly chewing your food, it could be a sign of alignment issues with the jaw. Rather than continuing to suffer—and possibly inflicting permanent damage to your teeth—come see us right away. Facial Appearance If your face appears to be uneven in any way, or if you notice that your chin is starting to jut out or recede, you may be suffering from uneven jaw growth. What's more, if the condition is not treated, it could end up becoming worse. So, don't ignore this symptom in the hopes that it will turn out to be nothing. Tooth Wear PatternsA common sign of uneven jaw growth is abnormal wear patterns for your teeth. If you notice that the teeth are wearing unevenly, the problem could be a bite that is no longer square. Correcting the Condition If you have uneven jaw growth, we can help. Come see us and let us take a look, then we can come up with a treatment plan for you....
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