Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? If so you might be at risk for periodontal disease, or gum disease. Over half of American adults have some form of gum disease and aren't even aware. That's why trips to the dentist are crucial: general dentistry practice can identify and treat this disease.
Signs include red, puffy, and bleeding gums. Some patients report shooting pains in their mouths, while others have no symptoms at all. Because the gums support the teeth, gum disease can lead to loss of teeth. Even worse, the condition can begin to affect health in other parts of the body. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, and other diseases.
Some treatments for gum disease include scaling and root planing, as well as antibiotic treatment. It's important to start treatment right away so that it doesn't spread or cause major discomfort. Your dentist can tell you the proper treatment for you.
Many patients don't get the proper patient education about gum disease, so it's important to go to a general dentistry practice where the dentist will sit with you and explain what you need to do to keep your gums healthy. Be sure to see a dentist who can diagnose and better yet, treat your gum disease so you are not at risk for more serious complications.
Healthy teeth and gums are important not just for a beautiful smile, but to preserve the health of your body as a whole.
Read more on gum disease in Cary NC
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
6 Steps to the Right Dentist
Choosing the right dentist can be difficult. Many dentists offer general dentistry services, so how can you be sure one is right for you? Here are 6 things to consider before choosing a compatible dentist.
1- Is the support staff kind and courteous?
This is the first thing you'll find out anyway, as support staff will answer the phone when you call. The attitude of those the dentist employs may reflect the attitude of the entire office, so pay attention to the treatment you receive from support staff.
2- Find out the dentist's experience.
Find out a little about the dentist who will be working for you. How long have they been practicing general dentistry? How long has this particular practice been open? Do they have any specialties? Do they take continuing education classes?
3- Do they offer emergency care?
4- How much do procedures cost?
Before going to see any dentist, find out about the costs involved with care. Dental insurance covers many preventative procedures, and there are other programs to help pay for dentistry, but you want to have a good idea of how much out-of-pocket expense may be on the line.
5- Does the dentist offer modern treatments?
For example, are dental lasers used instead of tooth drills? It's easy to find out how modern a practice is by simply inquiring about the newest equipment they have or what they've recently learned.
6- What is in place to make the patient comfortable?
Does the dentist allow patients to listen to music during procedures? Does the dentist pre-medicate patients before certain work is done?
Asking these questions before you decide on a general dentistry practice will give you a great idea of what to expect from a dentist.
Read more on family dentistry in Cary NC
1- Is the support staff kind and courteous?
This is the first thing you'll find out anyway, as support staff will answer the phone when you call. The attitude of those the dentist employs may reflect the attitude of the entire office, so pay attention to the treatment you receive from support staff.
2- Find out the dentist's experience.
Find out a little about the dentist who will be working for you. How long have they been practicing general dentistry? How long has this particular practice been open? Do they have any specialties? Do they take continuing education classes?
3- Do they offer emergency care?
4- How much do procedures cost?
Before going to see any dentist, find out about the costs involved with care. Dental insurance covers many preventative procedures, and there are other programs to help pay for dentistry, but you want to have a good idea of how much out-of-pocket expense may be on the line.
5- Does the dentist offer modern treatments?
For example, are dental lasers used instead of tooth drills? It's easy to find out how modern a practice is by simply inquiring about the newest equipment they have or what they've recently learned.
6- What is in place to make the patient comfortable?
Does the dentist allow patients to listen to music during procedures? Does the dentist pre-medicate patients before certain work is done?
Asking these questions before you decide on a general dentistry practice will give you a great idea of what to expect from a dentist.
Read more on family dentistry in Cary NC
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Better Smile with Porcelain Veneers
Many people have seen television makeovers and want to know whether they too can trade in their smile for a gorgeous, brand new one. The answer is usually yes, with the proper general dentistry practice and porcelain veneers, a wonderful smile is not far away.
Having a smile full of stained, crooked, and chipped teeth can be embarrassing. People who have had veneers done report higher self-esteem, more confidence, and greater success in the dating world. Luckily, the procedure is not difficult and positive effects can be seen in a short period of time.
Typically the process toward porcelain veneers begins with a planning session. The dentist will look at which kind of veneers will look right in your mouth and take out some of the existing tooth enamel in order to accommodate the incoming veneers. Usually temporary veneers are place on the teeth while the permanent veneers are made in a dental lab. Finally the permanent ones are installed and the dentist explains how best to take care of your new teeth.
Because they mimic the appearance of natural teeth, porcelain veneers can replace stained, discolored, chipped, and crooked teeth and make them appear natural, clean, and bright. Come talk to us about having a beautiful smile today!
Read more on general dentistry in Cary NC
Having a smile full of stained, crooked, and chipped teeth can be embarrassing. People who have had veneers done report higher self-esteem, more confidence, and greater success in the dating world. Luckily, the procedure is not difficult and positive effects can be seen in a short period of time.
Typically the process toward porcelain veneers begins with a planning session. The dentist will look at which kind of veneers will look right in your mouth and take out some of the existing tooth enamel in order to accommodate the incoming veneers. Usually temporary veneers are place on the teeth while the permanent veneers are made in a dental lab. Finally the permanent ones are installed and the dentist explains how best to take care of your new teeth.
Because they mimic the appearance of natural teeth, porcelain veneers can replace stained, discolored, chipped, and crooked teeth and make them appear natural, clean, and bright. Come talk to us about having a beautiful smile today!
Read more on general dentistry in Cary NC
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Risk Factors of Oral Cancer
April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and dentists are the first line of defense against this pervasive disease. So we’re going to post a series of short discussions about the facts, risks, diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer throughout the month. Please ask questions in the comments, and don’t hesitate to contact the office with your concerns or to schedule a screening.
Earlier this month, we talked about the devastating statistics relating to fatality rates for oral cancer. Today we’re going to talk about who is predisposed to contracting it.
The first risk factor usually cited is age. Historically, the majority of cases occurred over age 40. Things have changed in this decade, however.
Most of you will guess that tobacco use is a huge risk factor, and it is. Combine that with alcohol consumption, and you’ve got a 15x greater risk than someone who does neither.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation or x-ray radiation is another factor. Oral cancer caused by too much sun exposure has decreased, thanks to awareness and use of sunscreens. Occasional x-ray exposure is safe; this damage accumulates over a long period of time.
On the rise are oral cancers caused by viruses and fungus, especially HPV16.
All patients should be sure their dentists give them a full oral cancer screening at each regular visit, but those with the above risk factors should be especially diligent.
Earlier this month, we talked about the devastating statistics relating to fatality rates for oral cancer. Today we’re going to talk about who is predisposed to contracting it.
The first risk factor usually cited is age. Historically, the majority of cases occurred over age 40. Things have changed in this decade, however.
Most of you will guess that tobacco use is a huge risk factor, and it is. Combine that with alcohol consumption, and you’ve got a 15x greater risk than someone who does neither.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation or x-ray radiation is another factor. Oral cancer caused by too much sun exposure has decreased, thanks to awareness and use of sunscreens. Occasional x-ray exposure is safe; this damage accumulates over a long period of time.
On the rise are oral cancers caused by viruses and fungus, especially HPV16.
All patients should be sure their dentists give them a full oral cancer screening at each regular visit, but those with the above risk factors should be especially diligent.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Surprising Facts about Oral Cancers
April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and dentists are the first line of defense against this pervasive disease. So we’re going to post a series of short discussions about the facts, risks, diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer throughout the month. Please ask questions in the comments, and don’t hesitate to contact the office with your concerns or to schedule a screening.
Out of about 37,000 American patients diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year, over 8,000 will die. That’s a rate of about one person per hour, 24 hours a day, every single day. The five-year survival rate is only about 50% of those patients, a number that hasn’t changed in decades. More people die from oral cancer than many other, higher-profile cancers. How many of you know all about cervical, testicular, or skin cancer, and take precautions against them? How many cancers do you get screened for by your medical professionals each year? Now, how many of you have knowingly had a screening for oral cancer?
You might think the fatality rate is so high because oral cancer is particularly dangerous. But that’s not the case. The death rate is high because it’s often not discovered until late stage. By then, it has usually metastasized to somewhere else in the body, starting with the lymph nodes in the neck. The first tumor has also been given time to invade deeply, making treatment more difficult. Often, there’s no pain or other symptom you can easily recognize, and it also easily produces additional tumors, so recurrence happens frequently.
Don’t take chances with your life. Make an appointment with us today. We routinely screen for oral cancer, a quick and painless diagnostic that can give you peace of mind…or save your life.
Out of about 37,000 American patients diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year, over 8,000 will die. That’s a rate of about one person per hour, 24 hours a day, every single day. The five-year survival rate is only about 50% of those patients, a number that hasn’t changed in decades. More people die from oral cancer than many other, higher-profile cancers. How many of you know all about cervical, testicular, or skin cancer, and take precautions against them? How many cancers do you get screened for by your medical professionals each year? Now, how many of you have knowingly had a screening for oral cancer?
You might think the fatality rate is so high because oral cancer is particularly dangerous. But that’s not the case. The death rate is high because it’s often not discovered until late stage. By then, it has usually metastasized to somewhere else in the body, starting with the lymph nodes in the neck. The first tumor has also been given time to invade deeply, making treatment more difficult. Often, there’s no pain or other symptom you can easily recognize, and it also easily produces additional tumors, so recurrence happens frequently.
Don’t take chances with your life. Make an appointment with us today. We routinely screen for oral cancer, a quick and painless diagnostic that can give you peace of mind…or save your life.
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