Posts Tagged ‘dental examination’

So what does that have to do with a dental blog? Plenty. It is all about form, fit and function. While we all love the looks of a great smile, your teeth have an important function; they are designed to bite and chew your food for a lifetime of proper digestion.  Just as tap shoes do not transform an elephant into a tap dancer, a mouth full of malpositioned teeth, ill-fitting crowns or loose dentures will not produce an effective bite, which dentists call occlusion.  Your teeth, ligaments, nerves, muscles and bone, all working together, control occlusion. Your teeth must be in alignment to withstand the normal pressures of chewing food. 

Inch for inch, your jaw muscles are among the most powerful in the human body.  Normal chewing places about 70 lbs/sq inch of pressure on the back teeth, and clenching your teeth can increase that force to 150-300 lbs/sq inch.  Bruxism is teeth grinding, often during sleep.  The forces in bruxism during sleep have been measured at over 1000 lbs/sq inch of force, enough to crush the front end of a car.  If normal pressure is applied evenly to your teeth, the force is comfortable.  But if you have occlusal problems and all that pressure is applied to just a few spots, the teeth, ligaments and nerves can signal pain.  Over time, the tooth absorbing this punishment can fracture. 

You may have an unstable bite (malocclusion) due to missing teeth or periodontal disease, or if your teeth are worn down or out of place.  Ill-fitting crowns or bridges can also disturb your bite.  That powerful force, misdirected due to an incorrect bite, can cause pain and damage to your remaining teeth.  The upper and lower teeth should fit together well, without causing your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) to become unstable.  TMJ dysfunction can lead to pain in your jaw or face, as well as headaches and other complaints.

 If you have an unstable on ineffective bite, bruxism, misaligned teeth or TMJ pain, see your dentist and request a bite analysis. A small adjustment may be all that is needed to correct the situation and prevent problems later. A custom night dental guard can help with bruxism, and other types of dental treatment can improve occlusion. And while we can’t guarantee that a visit to our office will give you a new superpower like tap dancing, we can relieve pain, restore occlusion and allow you to chew your food comfortably again.

This year, we expect another 35,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer.  This annual number has steadily increased in recent years.  While the survival rates for many other cancers have improved, we have not made progress with oral cancer because it often goes undetected until the later stages.  Sadly, about half of all people with oral cancer die within five years of their diagnosis.  Of those who do survive, many have faced radiation treatments and/or difficult and disfiguring head and neck surgery.  Early detection and treatment can make a major difference in the quality of life and years of survival.

Screening for oral cancer should be a regular part of your dental care. Your dentist is the best member of your health team to detect oral cancer at an early stage, before there are any symptoms. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat.  Fortunately, specialized tools such as the oral camera and magnification glasses can lead to early detection of oral cancer and improve the likelihood of cure. It is important to choose a dentist who has the skills and experience needed to recognize cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. Routine dental check-ups may save more than your teeth; they may save your life!

There are several known risk factors for oral cancer.  Most patients are 40 years of age or older.  Many have a history of tobacco use in all its forms, especially when combined with excess alcohol intake.  Tobacco and alcohol are well-known and long-established risk factors.  Yet another good reason to quit smoking and use alcohol in moderation!

More recently, we have learned that exposure to the human papilloma virus version 16 or HPV-16 is another important cause of oral cancer. This recent finding may explain many cases among non-smokers and non-drinkers.  HPV-16 is the same virus that causes most cases of cervical cancers in women.  The cancer may appear years or decades after the HPV-16 exposure.

Oral cancer screening is a routine part of my comprehensive dental examination. During the examination, I carefully examine the lips, inside of your mouth, palate, tongue and gums. I may be able to detect white or red spots or sores that the patients cannot see themselves. Sometimes the patient may overlook the spot at first because it is not painful.  If I find anything of concern, I perform a small biopsy immediately and send the tissue to the laboratory for microscopic examination by a pathologist.

If you have not been screened for oral cancer, please call our office at (610) 565-2868 so we may assist you.  I am committed to proper screening and helping patients fight and win the battle against oral cancer.

Your dental care is important to me.

Dr. L. Z. Bodak-G
Media PA Dentist