Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Around 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year - with only 45% of those diagnosed surviving more than five years. Cases of mouth cancer or oral cancer have risen by 20% in the past 30 years. It affects twice as many men as women.

Cancer is an abnormal and excessive growth of cells. Scientists are still trying to figure out all of the causes and cures of oral cancer. They do know however, that oral cancer is almost always caused by chewing tobacco. Tobacco use and prolonged, heavy alcohol drinking are the biggest risk factors, but it has also recently been determined that the presence of oral HPV is also a clear risk factor for the disease.

Recommendations for the prevention of oral cancer includes abstinence from all types of tobacco, only moderate alcohol consumption, limited exposure to UV light and use of a SPF 15 lip balm to protect against cancer of the lips. At Dream Smile Dental, we also recommend avoiding sources of oral irritation like poorly fitting dentures, eating the required daily servings of vegetables, fruits and whole-grains and regular dental checkups including an oral cancer exam.

Often, oral cancer is discovered too late, which is the main reason for the high death rate. Early detection and diagnosis is imperative in increasing life expectancy; it is 90% curable when found in the early stages. However, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages.

At Dream Smile Dental, our practice has incorporated VELscope, the most powerful tool available for the discovery of oral abnormal cell growth for up to 5 years before it rises to the surface and can be seen by the naked eye. If you are concerned, or have never been screened for oral cancer, contact us.

When it's time for New Year’s resolutions, many people resolve to be healthy. Well what about committing to your dental health? Dental health is directly related to your physical health and well being. Oral Health (teeth, gums and mouth) has a Direct Relationship to Your Overall Health

Taking care of your teeth and gums, allows your body to keep the naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth under control. However, oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease can be caused by harmful bacteria in your mouth when your dental health is neglected. This bacteria can enter your bloodstream.

Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease does not just affect your teeth. A correlation has been shown between oral diseases and conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and pre-term labor. There is no cure for periodontal disease, but Dream Smile Dental can help you maintain your current condition and provide therapy to help it from getting worse.

Resolve to maintain your dental health, contact Dream Smile Dental to jump start your health in the New Year.

Alarmingly, one American dies every hour from oral cancer, and this has remained unchanged for the last 40 years. Often, oral cancer is discovered too late in stage development, which is the main reason for the consistently high death rate.

With early detection, the chance for a cure is high. And now it is easier than ever to detect it. With early detection and diagnosis life expectancy can be increased; it is 90% curable when found in the early stages but 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages.

Most often occurring in those who use tobacco in any form, oral cancer can also occur in people who do not smoke and have no other known risk factors. Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth: the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate. It can also cause a change in the way the teeth fit together.

Signs of Oral Cancer include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue.

If you believe that you or someone you care about may have oral cancer, it is important to have that spot checked. Please contact Dream Smile Dental for a consultation.

One person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States. However, it is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the chance for a cure is high. Only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years, but with early detection, the patient has an 80% to 90% survival rate.

• It can affect any area of the mouth including the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.
• Alcohol use combined with smoking greater increases risk.
• Oral cancers can occur in people who do not smoke and have no other known risk factors.
• The death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development.
• Found early, while still Localized (confined to the primary site), oral cancer's five-year survival rate is good: about 83%. Only 33% of all oral cancer discoveries fall into this category.
• Found while Regional (progressed to regional lymph nodes) the five-year survival rate drops significantly, to about 55%. Approximately 46% of all oral cancer discoveries are Regional.
• Found late, oral cancer's five-year survival rate is poor: approximately 32%. This accounts for approximately 14% of all oral cancer findings.
• Close to 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 36,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years.
• Very recent data (late 2007-2008) lead us to believe that the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population are non smokers under the age of fifty.

If there is a concern with a particular area, a biopsy may be recommended as a preemptive measure. Most biopsies result in benign findings, but if further treatment is required, the dentist will provide you with your options. Diagnosing and eliminating cancer in it's earliest stages minimizes it's spread, and ultimately saves lives.

At Dream Smile Dental, with the addition of the VELScope, we can become aware of suspicious areas in the mouth, before they even grow into a lesion. Ask us for more information on the VELScope!