Missing Teeth: Replacing Them is Easier Than Ever

I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!

Use Tobacco And Drink? Oral Cancer Is A Very Real Possibility

Dentist Blog

If you're both a smoker and drink alcohol, you have a higher risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer. In fact, the risk is 300 times greater. Here is what you should know about this potentially fatal disease.

What Is Oral And Pharyngeal Cancer?

Oral cancer is a cancer that occurs anywhere in the mouth, including the pharynx. The pharynx is the back of your throat, the tonsils, and the back part of your tongue where it attaches. Cancer can occur in these areas as well as the lips, the inner cheeks, the gums, the roof of your mouth, under your tongue, the surface of your tongue, and in the salivary glands.

What Are The Symptoms Of Oral Cancer?

There aren't many signs of oral cancer when it is in the earliest stage. Once the cancer progresses, the symptoms will depend on where the cancer is located. You may have white or red patches on your tongue or elsewhere on the lining of your mouth. You may have an open sore that doesn't heal and appears to be growing. You may have a chronic sore throat and difficulty swallowing or an odd feeling that something is stuck in your throat. Your tongue may be sore. You might have a lump in your cheek lining as well as swelling. You may have jaw, ear, or neck pain. Your teeth may feel loose, and if you wear dentures, they may not fit as well or feel as though they are rubbing on something. Your voice may also change or become raspy.

Everyone should see their dentist regularly, but it is especially important for smokers who drink alcohol. The dentist may notice something is wrong before you notice it or have any symptoms.

Who Gets Oral Cancer?

In addition to smokers and drinkers, people who chew tobacco, have gastro-esophageal reflux disease, have the human papillomavirus infection, and those who eat a lot of meat and processed foods have a higher risk of mouth cancer. Broken teeth may also play a role as their jagged edges tend to cause repetitive injury to the lining of the mouth or tongue, so one more reason to see the dentist frequently.

How Is Oral Cancer Treated?

Radiation therapy is usually used for early stage oral cancer. Unfortunately, this can cause new dental problems, such as mouth sores, tooth decay, and bleeding gums leading to tooth loss. For more advanced cancers, chemotherapy is added to the mix, especially if it has spread to the lymph nodes. Other anticancer drugs as well as surgery may also be required.

To learn more, contact companies like Webster John B DDS.

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19 August 2018