Have you done your oral self-exam?

With oral cancer being such a deadly disease—nearly a third of the cases diagnosed each year result in death—early detection, when the patient has the best chance of being cured, becomes even more crucial.

A self-exam for oral cancer involves checking all areas of the face and neck, as well as oral tissues inside the mouth. Using a hand mirror, inspect the face for any lumps or bumps or areas that cause the two sides of the face to appear asymmetrical. Look for sores, changes in moles, or growths. Check your neck by pressing against the skin to feel for lumps or sore spots. Look carefully at your lips. Pull the lower lip down to inspect the inside, and feel for lumps with your finger. Pull the upper lip up, and perform the same inspection. To see inside your cheeks, pull the corner of your mouth to one side, and look for white, red, or dark-colored spots or white patches. Use your thumb and forefinger to feel for bumps in this area. The exam is not complete until you’ve checked the roof and floor of your mouth, and your tongue. With your mouth wide open, tip your head to the back to look for discoloration on the roof of your mouth. Feel for bumps with the tip of your index finger. To examine the area under your tongue, tilt forward and hold your tongue up. Look for unusual patches and feel for swollen areas. Look at all sides of the tongue by sticking it out and gently grasping the end. Inspect the top, underside, and either edge. Again, look for lumps, swelling, or discolored areas.

Perform this self-exam in between dental visits. When you do this in conjunction with regular dental checkups, which include a professional oral-cancer examination, you reduce your chances of developing a cancer of the head, neck, or mouth. Lower your risk even more by avoiding, alcohol, cheek- or lip-biting habits, and excessive sunlight. If your denture(s) or partial denture(s) does not fit well, see a us at Silver Dental, so we can make them fit better.

Your teeth… and your baby’s teeth

Mothers-to-be have much to be concerned about. Often they’re busy decorating a nursery, maybe knitting booties or a baby blanket—generally making preparations for the precious bundle soon to arrive. Many pregnant women are doing all this while maintaining careers and perhaps caring for other small children. This may mean little time for an expectant mom to think about herself or her diet.

However, how a woman takes care of herself during pregnancy—especially with regard to her diet—is essential to her good health and the development of her growing child. The food and nutrients a woman ingests can have a marked effect on both mother and baby.

Both a mother’s teeth and the teeth of her child will be affected by what she eats. Many women develop cravings during pregnancy. Because of this, they have a tendency to snack more often. It’s important to choose foods wisely when snacking, but it’s especially important during pregnancy. Selecting fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy products such as cheeses is always smart. Snacking on sweets too often can only result in poor nutrition and elevate the risk of decay.

Good nutrition for the mother is essential to the developing child throughout pregnancy as well. A baby’s teeth develop in the woman’s second trimester—from the third to sixth month of gestation. Nutrients crucial to good tooth development include vitamins A, C, and D. Calcium, phosphorous, and protein are minerals that aid in tooth and bone growth.

Pregnancy myths and facts

Myth: If a woman does not ingest enough calcium during her pregnancy, the baby will take calcium from her teeth to develop his or her own.

Fact: If a woman does not ingest enough calcium to help her baby grow healthy teeth, her body can harvest what’s needed for the baby from stores in the woman’s bones.

It’s not just what you eat…

…it’s how you eat!

Brushing, flossing, and seeing us regularly are all excellent ways to help prevent dental decay, but without attention to diet, problems may still occur. Avoiding sugary foods isn’t the whole answer. How frequently you eat and when you choose to eat sweets can make a significant difference in how your diet affects your dental health. For instance, did you know that sweets eaten during a meal are less likely to damage your teeth than those eaten alone as a snack? That’s because during a meal, more saliva is present to wash away food debris and bacteria. This is a good reason to choose fruits, vegetables, and cheeses for snacks rather than crackers or a candy bar. Always drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and your body hydrated. Amouth that is dry is more susceptible to cavities. A poor diet not only leads to tooth decay, it also encourages gum disease. Gum disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss among adults and one of the most prevalent illnesses on the planet. A lack of good nutrition can depress the immune system, making gum disease more likely to develop and progress more quickly. By applying smart nutrition, many dental problems can be avoided. That’s good news because there’s nothing complicated about practicing good nutritional habits. Ask us at Silver Dental for more information about how your diet can influence your dental health.

The Smart Money Is On Prevention

Saving money on your dental health can best be accomplished by taking steps to prevent costly dental work. The most important actions that can be taken to lower your dental costs are within your control. By following the suggestions outlined below, you might have a healthier mouth and effectively reduce your dental costs:

• Observe good daily dental hygiene. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste after each meal, and floss daily.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Choose fruits and vegetables more often than starches and sweets.

• Pay special attention to the beverages you drink. Sipping sugar-laden sodas and presweetened teas all day can contribute to decay.

• See us for regularly scheduled preventive care.

• Don’t ignore a dental problem. Putting off care often means a more expensive restoration later on.

• Invest in preventive measures for children. Fluoride treatments have been proven to help prevent decay.

If you should require extensive dental treatment, we can work with you to help you satisfy your obligation. Payment plans are available to help you and your family obtain the dental care you need. Talk to us to learn more.

A Deadly Combination

Older Americans struggle with a number of dental conditions. Dry mouth, 

periodontal disease, and root cavities are among the common dental problems 

affecting seniors. Oral and pharyngeal cancers, which kill more than 7,000 

Americans each year, are diagnosed more often in seniors than other age groups. 

Tobacco and alcohol use both contribute to the development of oral cancers. 

Patients who partake of both these substances have an elevated risk for both 

throat and oral cancer. Unfortunately, alcohol and tobacco use often go hand in 

hand. 

Just as there are a variety of alcoholic beverages, tobacco comes in a number 

of forms. All types of alcohol and tobacco pose dangers. Whether a smoker puffs 

on cigars, cigarettes, or a pipe, the chances of developing oral cancer can be up to 

seven times higher when tobacco is a factor. 

The healthiest choice is to abstain from tobacco and alcohol use. However, 

that may be difficult for some patients, since both substances are addictive. For 

patients who want to avoid the ill effects associated with these substances, we, at Silver Dental can 

make referrals to cessation programs.

Veneers can give you a smile all your own!

FREE consultation

If your teeth are worn, stained, uneven, or unevenly spaced, porcelain or

composite veneers could give you a beautiful, customized smile. Veneers are thin

shells that fit right over and are bonded to the front teeth to provide you with a

perfect smile. Veneers can make your teeth appear straight, even, and white.

Whether made of composite material or porcelain, veneers can be designed to

specifically match your mouth. The look and color of the veneers can be

customized to appear naturally opalescent and translucent. Veneers are often

chosen when teeth are very discolored or have chips or gaps that can’t be restored

by whitening or bonding.

Veneers are very durable in spite of their thinness. Once they are bonded to

your teeth, they can last for many years. However, changes in diet may be

recommended to avoid breaking them, and if you tend to grind your teeth at

night, a guard may be recommended to protect the veneers.

In some situations, veneers can be used instead of a crown. In other cases, a

veneer may be used to protect a tooth that has been injured. If you want to learn

more about veneers, call us. We’ll be happy to schedule a free consultation to

evaluate your smile.

New System for Adult Orthodontics

We, at Silver Dental are very happy to announce that we’re now using an adult orthodontic

system that offers several advantages over traditional braces. The Damon Bracket

System provides several benefits, including:

• Reduced need for tooth removal or jaw surgery prior to placing the braces.

• Patients may see changes in their teeth in less than three months after beginning

treatment.

• Patients using the Damon system require fewer office visits.

• Palate-expansion devices and headgear are unnecessary.

• The entire process can often be completed in 20 months or less.

In addition to all these advantages, many patients find an overall cosmetic

improvement using the Damon Bracket System. The change in the appearance of

the teeth affects the entire face; the features appear more balanced, and the skin

has a smoother look. Patients may find that their teeth are not only straighter, but

their overall appearance is younger.

Learn more about what this remarkable orthodontic technology can do for

you. Ask us about the advantages offered by the Damon Bracket System

Remembering Dr. Marvin Silver

 

Marvin Silver

It seems ironic that we at Silver Dental are so hi-tech. We use lasers, computerized anesthesia, digital x-rays, etc. and yet our beloved father, Marv,  didn’t know how to turn on a computer. He could barely use a VCR. He had to be trained over and over and over again on how to use a cell phone! We would today call him technologically challenged!