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Oral Cancer Awareness
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and it is estimated that 43,250 people this year alone will be diagnosed with oral cancer. If detected early, there is a 80-90% survival rate, but left undetected, that rate goes down to 50%. Most cases of oral cancer that are identified are detected by medical and dental technicians. However, in between dental and medical visits, be aware of changes in your mouth and contact your dentist or physician if an abnormality persists for more than two weeks. Continue reading
Reducing Dental Fear and Anxiety
Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Well, if you are, you’re not alone. According to the results of an American Association of Endodontics survey, 80% of Americans have some fear of the dentist (source: J of Conservative Dentistry 2009 12:85-6). While it can be a relief to know that fear of the dentist is common, dental fear or anxiety doesn’t have to be something a patient is forced to live
with. In fact, there are several ways to mitigate the fear associated with dental visits. Continue reading
The Suprise Cavity
Patients can be surprised when their dentist tells them they have a cavity: “I don’t have any pain or sensitivity,
though.” So how can this be? Let’s begin with a brief description of tooth anatomy.
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Bad Breath: It’s Not Just About What You Eat
Halitosis (aka, bad breath) can be embarrassing, but, luckily, it can almost certainly be remedied. There are several reasons why a person may have halitosis, but about 90% of people with chronic halitosis simply need a dental cleaning and oral hygiene instruction by their hygienist or dentist.
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Are Dental X-Rays Worth It?
Once in a while, I see a new patient who is apprehensive about having X-rays taken due to a concern over radiation. I’d like to address that concern and, hopefully, alleviate it. Continue reading
When Dentures Don’t Fit
Patients are fortunate to have dentures as an option for replacing missing teeth, allowing for everyday activities often taken for granted: eating, talking, and smiling. Dentures can even make us look younger and feel more confident. It’s no secret, though, that dentures can be frustrating-if the fit isn’t just right. Continue reading