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. 

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of the Dentist

It has been estimated that 9% to 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety and fear. That's about 30 to 40 million people. In a survey by the British Dental Health Foundation, 36% of those who didn't see a dentist regularly said that fear was the main reason. Some common reasons for dental phobia and anxiety are:

• Pain- there are many causes of dental anxiety and phobia. Many people are scared of the pain that they might encounter at the dentist.
• Feelings of helplessness and loss of control- When you’re in the dental chair, you have to stay still. This may make you feel like you can't see what's going on or predict what's going to hurt. It's common for people to feel helpless and out of control, which may trigger anxiety.
• Embarrassment- People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger poking around in their mouth, or they may be self-conscious about how their teeth look.
• Negative Past Experiences- anyone who has had pain or discomfort during previous dental procedures is likely to be more anxious the next time around.

Here’s why you shouldn’t fear the dentist:

We’re Here to Help

We’re not here to hurt you! When you come visit us, our main goal is to help you achieve overall oral health and make sure that the proper procedures are being performed so that you can have a healthier mouth, gums, and teeth. Going to the dentist means you are entrusting your oral health to a professional.

Regular Dental Visits are a Necessary and Vital Part of Maintaining Your Overall Health

It’s recommended that you visit a dentist twice a year, or every 6 months. If you’re scared of the dentist, odds are your visits will be much less frequent. It’s important to overcome that fear because regular dental check-ups play an integral part in maintaining not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Regular dental visits prevent the build-up of plague and prevent things like tooth aches, cavities, bad breath, and many other oral and health issues. Break the fear and do what’s right for your teeth and your body!

 It Could All Be In Your Head

Dental phobias and anxiety stem from a variety of things. From a psychological standpoint, this fear could result in a “conditioned” response. Perhaps you had a bad experience when you were a child so now every time you have to go to the dentist, you experience anxiety. Dental anxiety or fear of the dentist usually prevents people from optimizing and maintaining their dental health. To overcome this, identify the issue that is causing your anxiety and address it with your dentist. A good relationship between you and your dentist, with good communication, is the key factor in overcoming dental anxiety. You should feel comfortable discussing anxieties with your dentist and should be confident that he or she will do everything possible to reduce your anxiety. 

The Most Common Dental Problems

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is the most common dental problem. You might not think of bad breath as a “dental” problem but 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition to blame, such as gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth, or bacteria on the tongue. Brushing your teeth, tongue, and using mouthwash are great places to start but if you suffer from chronic bad breath, visit a dentist to rule out any other dental problems.

2. Tooth Decay

We touched on tooth decay in our last blog post. Behind the common cold, tooth decay is the second most prevalent disease in the United States. It occurs when plaque forms on our teeth and combines with the food we eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Prevent tooth decay by brushing twice a day, flossing, and going to regular dental checkups.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, scientifically known as periodontal disease, is quite possibly one of the most serious dental problems because it is commonly linked to heart attacks and strokes. Gum disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth and is one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults.

4. Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that someone in the US dies every hour from oral cancer and that there over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious and deadly dental disease that affects the mouth, lips, or throat, is highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

5. Mouth Sores

Mouth sores, such as canker sores, fever blisters, cold sores, and ulcers, are bothersome but they don’t usually last more than two weeks and disappear on their own. Contact your dentist for medication and treatment.

6. Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity means experiencing tooth pain or discomfort from sweets, cold air, hot or cold drinks, or ice cream. Some people’s teeth are so sensitive that they hurt when they brush or floss. There are certain toothpastes to help control tooth sensitivity and your dentist will know what to do to help.

7. Unattractive Smile

This is not technically a “dental problem” and is definitely not as serious as the others on this list but people who are unhappy with their smile consider this a dental issue and it’s one of the major reasons why patients seek dental treatment. With today’s dental technology, a beautiful smile is within reach! Whether it’s teeth whitening, dental implants, or cosmetic dental work, your dentist can give you the smile you’ve always wanted!