Close to 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year. These cancers kill roughly 1 person every hour, 24 hours per day. Of those, only 57% are estimated to be living 5 years from now. The death rate for oral cancer is one of the worst of all cancers. It is higher than cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, thyroid cancer, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma).

The American Cancer Society states that oral and oropharyngeal cancers occur most often in the following sites:
• Tongue (about 25% to 30%)
• Tonsils (about 15% to 20%)
• Salivary glands (about 10% to 15%)
• The rest occur in the lips, gums, floor of the mouth, and other sites.

Although new cases have been dropping over the past few decades, a recent rise has been seen in throat cancers related to HPV (human papilloma virus) in white males under age 50. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62, but about a third occur in patients younger than 55.

The death rate for these cancers has seen a slight decrease since the late 1970s. Unfortunately, some symptoms do not emerge until the cancer has reached an advanced stage, or symptoms may be similar to those caused by something as simple as a toothache. For example, an early sign may be a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth. Because tissue changes in your mouth are normal, symptoms can mimic a bite on the inside of your cheek.

Any change to oral tissue that does not heal within 14 days should be examined without delay. Symptoms also include:
• white or red patch of tissue
• lesion in the mouth
• a lump or mass inside the mouth or neck
• difficulty or discomfort when swallowing
• persistent sore throat
• any wart-like masses
• numbness in the oral/facial region

Lesions or discolorations that are early warning signs are not always visible, particularly in the back portion of the mouth (the oropharynx, the tonsils, and base of tongue), which can be an obstacle to early discovery. This is another reason that regular oral hygiene exams and cleanings are so important. During these times, your dentist and hygienist look for unusual changes in the mouth that can indicate a problem. Although you should never wait until your scheduled appointment to have anything unusual examined. Early treatment is key to survival.

We believe that everyone deserves a confident smile. For those who are missing teeth, All-On-4 is helping more people achieve that.

1. A more affordable option for non-removable implants – All-On-4 is a non-removable dental implant option designed to maximize the use of available bone on just 4 implants. Thus, replacing a full arch of teeth is more affordable since fewer implants are required.

2. Gives you teeth that have excellent stability for eating – The All-On-4 process can have teeth attached immediately with implants that are angled to provide better stability. Plus, placement is done in just one appointment!

3. Works well for those who have even experienced severe bone loss – For people who have lost bone (a result of missing tooth roots), some cannot have implants without bone rebuilding or grafting procedures. Because of the unique angles in the design and placement, All On 4 works well even when severe bone loss has occurred.

For a consultation to discuss the All-On-4 system, or any tooth replacement option, call (828) 274-9440. I’ll be happy to explain the process and answer all of your questions.

For fresh breath, the only dependable method is brushing, flossing and using a tongue scraper in a committed routine of oral hygiene at home. However, I occasionally hear of holistic remedies that are at times surprising and at other times just downright unbelievable! I though I’d share a few with you:

• Chew a whole clove or several anise seeds for fresher breath.

• To have fresher breath in the morning, dissolve a small piece of myrrh in your mouth at bedtime. Myrrh acts as an oral antiseptic, helping to fend off bacteria during the night.

• To rid your breath of onion or garlic smells, sprinkle kosher salt on half of a lemon and suck the juice for several minutes. (I don’t recommend this one AT ALL since a lemon’s citric acid can erode tooth enamel!)

• Eating an apple will eliminate “coffee breath.”

While these are fun to read, I only advise the tried-&-true methods for fresh breath: Brush at least twice daily, floss daily, use a tongue scraper, drink plenty of water, minimize sugar and alcohol, and have dental check-ups and cleanings every six months.

Of course, this works for mouths that are healthy. If your breath has an odor regardless of these efforts, you may have gum disease, which can only be resolved through soft tissue therapy. Early signs also include bleeding when you brush or gum tenderness. Call us soon — gum disease will only worsen without treatment!

A healthy, attractive smile is a major player in your well-being. It affects your appearance, self-esteem and self-confidence, and even impacts your overall health. Eating, smiling, speaking, laughing and even your quality of sleep are all related to your oral health.

According to a survey that asked readers to describe the dental health and cosmetic treatments they received in the last five years, cost was given as the biggest reason for delaying care. The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, cited cost as a barrier by 43% of readers who delayed treatment.

Some of those with insurance coverage said they had put off a treatment because they had used the maximum amount their insurance plan would cover for the year. Twenty-four percent said they delayed treatment because insurance wouldn’t cover the procedure.

Although dental insurance is designed to help you manage typical requirements for dentistry, most plans are not structured to cover treatment that will prevent problems from getting worse later or from occurring altogether in the future. Rather than allow dental insurance to dictate how you attend to your oral well-being, we have payment options that are easy to manage for most budgets.

Remember that oral health problems tend to require more treatment time and greater expense the longer treatment is delayed. Let’s discuss your oral health needs and determine the fees, insurance coverage (if applicable), and a payment plan that will work for you. Through this, you can enjoy a healthy smile now while easy payments are made over time.

Call (828) 274-9440 for a Consultation.