|
Each year in the United States, about 29,000 people learn
they have cancer of the oral cavity (the mouth and lips) or the oropharynx
(the part of the throat at the back of the mouth).
Early Detection: Knowing the risk factors as well as the
symptoms will aid in early detection . Your regular checkup is a good
time for your dentist to check your entire mouth for signs of cancer.
Most dentists perform an oral cancer exam during your hygiene visits and
your regular checkup, which can help detect the early stages of oral
cancer or conditions that my lead to oral cancer .
Who's At Risk? Doctors
cannot always explain why one person develops oral cancer and another does
not. However, we do know that this disease is not contagious. You cannot
"catch" oral cancer from another person.
The following are risk factors
for oral cancer
·
Tobacco:
Tobacco use accounts for most oral cancers. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or
pipes; using chewing tobacco; and dipping snuff are all linked to oral
cancer. The use of other tobacco products (such as
bidis
and
kreteks)
may also increase the risk of oral cancer. Heavy smokers who use tobacco for
a long time are most at risk. The risk is even higher for tobacco users who
drink alcohol heavily. In fact, three out of four oral cancers occur in
people who use alcohol, tobacco, or both alcohol and tobacco.
·
Alcohol:
People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than people
who don't drink. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol that a person
consumes. The risk increases even more if the person both drinks alcohol and
uses tobacco.
·
Sun:
Cancer of the lip can be caused by exposure to the sun. Using a lotion or
lip balm that has a sunscreen can reduce the risk. Wearing a hat with a brim
can also block the sun's harmful rays. The risk of cancer of the lip
increases if the person also smokes.
·
A
personal history of head and neck cancer:
People who have had head and neck cancer are at increased risk of developing
another primary head and neck cancer. Smoking increases this risk.
Symptoms:
Common symptoms of oral cancer
include:
·
Patches
inside your mouth or on your lips that are white, a mixture of red and
white, or red
·
White patches (leukoplakia)
are the most common. White patches sometimes become malignant.
·
Mixed red and white
patches (erythroleukoplakia)
are more likely than white patches to become malignant.
·
Red patches (erythroplakia)
are brightly colored, smooth areas that often become malignant.
·
A sore on
your lip or in your mouth that won't heal
·
Bleeding
in your mouth
·
Loose
teeth
·
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
·
Difficulty wearing dentures
·
A lump in
your neck
·
An
earache
The Importance of
Professional Dental Care: Regular visits to your dentist are
important in protecting yourself from the effects of oral cancer. As
part of your regular dental examination your dentist can quickly and easily
check the oral tissues for signs of cancerous or precancerous lesions.
Detecting and treating cancerous tissues as early as possible is critical in
helping to beat a potentially deadly disease.
Scientists are studying oral
cancer to learn more about this disease and doctors are exploring new ways
to treat it. This research keeps increasing our knowledge about oral
cancer.
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Website:
http://www.cancer.gov
provides the most up-to-date information on many types of
cancer, information about clinical trials, resources for people dealing with
cancer and information for researchers and health professionals.
Source: National Cancer
Institute (NCI) and NCI Website
http://www.cancer.gov
|
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
A Serious Risk to Overall Health...
By the time people reach adulthood, their
teeth and gingivae, or gums, have had quite a workout. When gums are
healthy, they continue to fit snugly around the teeth. Many adults,
however, develop some type of periodontal or gum disease - an infection of
the tissues that support their teeth.
HOW IT EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
Recent
studies by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and
the American Heart Association have revealed
gum disease may represent a far more serious threat to the health of
millions of Americans than previously realized. These studies found that
periodontal (gum) infection may contribute to the development of heart
disease, the nation's number one cause of death and, the second leading cause of
stroke, may increase the risk of
premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose
health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.
CAUSES
The cause of gum disease is usually plaque, a sticky film of bacterial that
constantly forms on teeth. If plaque is not removed with thorough
daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, gums become irritated and
inflamed. The irritated gum tissue can separate from the teeth and
form spaces called pockets. Bacteria moves into the pockets, where
they continue to promote irritation. Left untreated, the process can
continue until the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues are destroyed.
The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. It often
results in gums that are read and swollen and may bleed easily. The
Good News is that this early stage is usually reversible. Sometimes,
all it takes are more regular professional cleanings and better home care.
WARNING SIGNS:
You may not even be aware that you have gum disease because often there is
no pain. there are warning signs, however, and you should call you
dentists if you experience any of the following:
-
·
gums that bleed during brushing
-
·
red, swollen or tender gums
-
·
gums that have pulled away from the teeth
-
·
persistent bad breath
-
·
pus between the teeth and gums
-
·
loose or separating teeth
-
·
a change in the way your teeth fit
together when you bite
-
·
a change in the fit of partial dentures
PREVENTION
Regular checkups are important. During an examination, your gums are
evaluated for periodontal disease. Even if you brush and floss
regularly, you may not remove all the plaque, especially around the gumline.
Plaque can harden into a rough, porous deposit called calculus or tartar.
Once hardened, it can be removed only in the dental office during your
regular cleaning. The best prevention is to schedule regular
checkups and better home care!
(Sources: ADA /JADA, Vol.132, Sept 2001 For the
Dental Patient)
|
Kids Corner
Simple Steps to
Protect Your Child's
Healthy Smile
Cavity prevention is not the only concern
parents should have when considering their children's oral health.
Studies show that periodontal disease continues to affect millions of
Americans, including children.
Proper oral hygiene routines should be established as early as infancy and
continued throughout life to ensure that your child does not get
cavities or gingivitus.
As soon as your infant receives his or her first tooth you should begin
a regular cleaning routine, by using a soft washcloth to clean the tooth.
Once your infant gets more teeth, you could begin using a very soft
children's toothbrush.
An early visit to the dentist is a good way to learn proper oral
hygiene for your children at an early age. Dr. Line will discuss the
importance of fluoride treatments, and sealants for your child as well.
Children and adults at high risk of dental decay may benefit from using
additional fluoride, including dietary supplements, mouth rinses and
professionally applied gels and varnishes.
In addition to teaching your children
the importance of regular brushing and flossing, routine visits to the
dentist and a healthy diet are all vital to maintaining their oral health.
IMPORTANT STEPS
Establish good oral health habits early
Provide a well balanced diet, limiting soda and
candy snacks
Brush & floss daily
Be a good role model with your oral health care
Fluoride Treatments & Sealants
Use of Fluoride Toothpaste
Schedule regular dental visits
|
