April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Here at West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental, we want to inform you about a growing concern: Oral Cancer.

According to National Cancer Institute estimates, in 2013:

-There will be 41,380 new cases of oral cancer in the US

-Of those cases, 7,890 will result in deaths

-On average, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day

When it comes to oral cancer, early detection is the key to survival. This serious dental disease, which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat, is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages. Visiting your dentist for regular check ups and avoiding tobacco are the key factors in preventing oral cancer.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is any cancerous tissue growth located in the oral cavity (mouth), on the lip, and the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth). 

Oral cancer most commonly involves: 

• the tongue, which accounts for 20% to 25% of cases
• floor of the mouth, 15%
•  the lip, 10% to 15%
• minor salivary glands, 10% to 15%.

Oral Cancer frequently has no symptoms; however, when symptoms do occur, the most common include: 

• A sore or ulcer on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal
• A lump on the lip, or in the mouth, or in the neck
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
• Unusual bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth
• Oral pain that does not go away
• Difficulty or pain with chewing, swallowing, or jaw opening
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Tooth loosening
• Bad breath
• Sensory loss in the face
• Abnormal taste in the mouth
• Tongue problems

Come in to Krengel Dental for your regular dental checkup and get screened for Oral Cancer. 

How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity

When you take a sip of an ice-cold drink or a piping hot coffee, do your teeth hurt? The worst is when you breathe in air and your teeth ache in pain. And good luck with an ice cream cone! Sensitive teeth are not only painful but they can also interfere with your daily life and affect what you can and cannot eat and drink.

The reason for the pain from sensitive teeth is exposed dentine (the inner substance of the tooth which is covered by enamel). Your enamel, especially where the tooth meets the root at the gumline, can get quite thin, exposing the dentine. Dentine contains tunnels linked to the nerves on the inside of the tooth and when the dentine is exposed, these nerves are very easily stimulated, resulting in pain.

Some common causes of sensitive teeth are: acid erosion, gum recession, gum disease, tooth grinding, tooth bleaching, or a cracked tooth or filling.

Here are some ways to reduce tooth sensitivity:

1. Switch Toothpastes

There are several brands of toothpaste on the market, such as Sensodyne, that are designed to help you if you have sensitive teeth. They contain an active ingredient called potassium nitrate to help block the tiny tunnels in the dentine that connect to the nerves. Switching toothpaste is a great place to start if you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity for the first time.

2. Rethink the Way You Brush

You should always use a soft toothbrush and you should never brush too vigorously. Hard brushing can actually wear away your enamel, increasing the sensitivity of your teeth.

3. Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks

Exposure to acidic foods and drinks such as fruit juice, soda, red wine, oranges, and sour candy can do major damage to the enamel on your teeth, causing sensitivity. Limit your daily intake and brush after you eat these foods.

4. Talk to your Dentist

If you’re not having luck with desensitizing toothpaste or changing the way you brush and eat, contact West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental. Dr. Krengel can go over procedures that can minimize sensitivity. If you grind your teeth, which wears away enamel, your dentist can fit you for a mouth guard. Changing toothpastes and the way you brush can’t replace damage done by gum disease, acid erosion, or a cracked tooth, so if you are unsure what is causing your tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to contact Krengel Dental! 

Why You Should Floss Regularly

The American Dental Association reported surprising statistics on how Americans view the importance of flossing. They reported that 50.5% of Americans floss daily, 31% of Americans floss less than daily, and 18.5% of Americans do not floss at all. Which category do you fall into?

The ADA recommends flossing once a day. That means 49.5% of Americans are missing out on this all-important step of dental health care and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you brush your teeth twice a day as recommended but still forget to floss, you’re missing out on cleaning one-third of each of your teeth.  Every time you brush, you clean the top, inside, and outside of each tooth. However, there are areas between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t clean effectively without flossing. When you brush without flossing, you are only cleaning 65% of your teeth, leaving 35% unclean.

Bacteria can thrive along these unattended surfaces, and over time lead to the formation of plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. Floss removes debris trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria between your teeth before it has a chance to harden into plaque. Tip: Don’t forget to floss all the way to your very back teeth.

Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are all essential factors of proper dental care that should not be overlooked. Visit West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental for your next dental appointment. Take the time to care for your teeth, and they will thank you with a healthy smile to be proud of.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures For Your Teeth

There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. From subtle changes to major repairs, Krengel Dental can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. Using cosmetic dentistry procedures, your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, whiten, and even restore your smile. When you are happy and excited about your teeth, it’s easy to take good care of them. Cosmetic dentistry brings together science and art to create a mouth that functions as it should while being comfortable and beautiful. It can give you the smile you’ve always wanted!

Here are some common cosmetic dentistry procedures and how they can help your smile:

Bleaching/Whitening

Discoloration of the teeth occurs in the enamel and can be caused by coffee, tea, cigarettes and improper brushing technique. Discoloration also comes with age. Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten the teeth. Many people bleach their teeth to make stains disappear and improve their smile with a whiter shade.

Bonding

Bonding is a tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of the teeth. Bonding only requires a single office visit to Dr. Roy Krengel in West Bloomington and lasts several years. If your teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice for your teeth. It can also be used to close spaces between teeth.

Crowns and Veneers

Crowns, also known as caps, cover a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and appearance. Crowns are more expensive but have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations.  Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic placed over the front teeth to change the color and shape of your teeth. Veneers are often used on teeth that are chipped or have uneven surfaces

Contouring and Reshaping

Contouring and reshaping of the teeth is a procedure used to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, or irregularly shaped teeth. It is used to alter the length, shape, or position of the teeth. It also helps correct small problems with your teeth, such as bite.

Which cosmetic dentistry procedure is right for you? Come visit us in West Bloomington and find out your options!