Posts Tagged ‘oral cancer’

Let’s face it, we men are less likely to take care of our overall health. Many man ignore the health of the mouth, teeth and gums for years, visiting a dentist only when they have a problem. Would you like to live a long, healthy life? Good oral health is linked to longevity, but one common factor associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male. Men are less likely than women to see their dentist for regular preventive care. The average man brushes his teeth less than twice a day. If he smokes, he may lose half of his teeth at age 72. Men are also more likely to develop oral and throat cancer and periodontal (gum) disease.

Why is periodontal disease a problem?

Periodontal disease is a result of plaque, which hardens into a rough, porous substance called tartar. The acids produced and released by bacteria found in tartar irritate gums. These acids cause the breakdown of fibers that anchor the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets that fill with even more bacteria. Research has proven a connection between the chronic infection of gum disease and cardiovascular disease, which places people at risk for heart attacks and strokes. See your dentist if you have any of these symptoms:

· Bleeding gums during brushing
· Red, swollen or tender gums
· Persistent bad breath
· Loose or separating teeth

Do you take medications?

Since men are more likely to suffer from hypertension and heart attacks, they also are more likely to be on medications that can cause dry mouth. Saliva helps to reduce the cavity-causing bacteria found in your mouth. Medication for the heart or blood pressure, and others such as anti-depressants, restrict your salivary flow, increasing your risk for cavities.

Do you use tobacco?

If you smoke or chew, you have a greater risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Men are affected twice as often as women, and 95 percent of oral cancers occur in those over 40 years of age. The most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate ssues in back of the tongue, lips and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer tican spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery and even death. More than 8,000 people die each year from oral and pharyngeal diseases, often because the disease is detected late. If you use tobacco, it is important to see a dentist frequently for cleanings and to ensure your mouth remains healthy. Your general dentist can perform a thorough screening for oral cancer.

Do you play sports?

If you participate in sports, there is a possibility of injury to your mouth and teeth. If you play contact sports, such as football, soccer, basketball and even baseball, it is important to use a mouthguard, which is a flexible appliance made of plastic that protects teeth from trauma. If you ride bicycles or motorcycles, wear a helmet to protect your face.

Taking care of your teeth

How much time do you spend taking care of your car? Yet your car will probably not last ten years. If you spend 8-10 minutes every day caring for your teeth, and visit your dentist for regular preventive care, your teeth can last 80 years or more. To improve your oral health, it is important to floss daily, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and visit your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings. Here are some tips to better dental health:

· Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach every surface of each tooth. If the bristles on your toothbrush are bent or frayed, buy a new one.
· Replace your toothbrush every three months or after you’ve been sick.
· Choose a toothpaste with fluoride. This can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent.
· Brush properly. To clean the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion using short, gentle strokes. To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle strokes over each tooth and its surrounding gum tissue. Spend at least three minutes brushing.
· Floss properly. Gently insert floss between teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or snap it into place. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and then the other.

Adapted from the Academy of General Dentistry                                                          “Dental care and oral health information you need”

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