The keys to keeping your mouth healthy

A healthy mouth is a good indication of your overall health and helps you to keep a great smile and continue eating what you want for many years to come.

There are a few steps you can take to make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible:
– Brush your teeth twice a day using a good quality toothbrush
– Renew your toothbrush regularly. It will only keep your mouth healthy if the brush is in good condition and the bristles are strong. You should replace it at least every three or four months
– Clean between your teeth. Your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere and bacteria can linger between the teeth so it’s important to clean between them every day using floss or an interdental cleaner
– Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and oral examinations

Your dentist will be able to give you tips on what other products you should consider to help improve your oral health.

For example, antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes can reduce the germs in your mouth and reduce the risk of gum disease.

Also, fluoride mouth rinses can help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Studies have shown that using mouth rinses provides valuable protection over and above that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone.

Look out for the ADA seal when buying toothbrushes and other dental products. This is a sign that the product has met American Dental Association standards for safety and effectiveness.

Following these steps can help ensure that you continue to enjoy great oral health.

Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Beware of Sports Drinks

Sports drinks might a good source of hydration and electrolytes for athletes on the field, but they also damage your teeth. According to a study published in the journal General Dentistry, the acidity in most sports drinks erodes the tooth’s enamel and

So should you choose water or a sport drink on your next bike ride? The answer is… it depends. Sports drinks provide electrolytes, carbohydrates and water – all of which are important if you are going to be doing intense exercise, for an extended period of time. A simple guideline that most people can use is, if you plan on exercising for less than 60 minutes, drink water. If you’re going to be exercising for longer than that you should consider a sports drink.

Oral Cancer Screening

Identafi® Multi-Spectral Oral Cancer Screening

Quick facts about oral cancer:

• Kills more in the U.S. than well known cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, & cervical
• Almost 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year in the U.S
• 66% of these individuals will be diagnosed as late stage cancers, only 43% of them will survive five years
• Early detection (stages 1 or 2) increases survival rates up to 80-90%
• Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase
• Prolonged sun exposure, tobacco, & alcohol use are major contributing factors
• HPV16, the same virus that causes a majority of cervical cancers, was the primary causative factor in 63% of diagnosis in early 2011

 

The test is simple, painless, & fast.

The mortality rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because of difficulty in diagnosis or discovery, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Screenings for oral cancer are crucial in early detection and drastically improve survival rates. An oral cancer screening is a pain free, quick three to five minute procedure that detects external and internal abnormalities. Your head, neck, and jaws will be examined for external abnormalities, followed by a visual screening of the interior of your mouth using a specialized light wand.

 

When found early, oral cancer patients have nearly a 90% survival rate.

Our office uses the Identafi system by Trimera and we recommend that patients are screened once a year for oral cancer. The Identafi® uses Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

 

Possible Signs & Symptoms

A primary danger of oral cancer is that in its early stages, it may go unnoticed and can be painless or cause little to no physical change. However, an oral cancer screening performed by a dentist or doctor specifically looks for precursor tissue changes or the actual cancer while it is still very small or in its early stages. It may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small ulcer which appears to be a common canker sore. There are many benign tissue changes that occur normally in your mouth, such as a bite on the inside of your cheek, that may mimic the look of a dangerous tissue change. It is important to have any sore or discolored area of your mouth looked at by a professional which does not heal within 14 days. Other symptoms may include:

• lump or mass felt on the inside of the mouth or neck
• pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing
• wart like masses
• hoarseness which persists
• numbness in the oral/facial region
• unilateral persistent ear ache

Periodontal Examination

During your checkup, Dr. Berdy will examine your mouth to assess the overall health and stability of your teeth, gums, and surrounding areas including the muscles supporting your teeth, jaw joints, and tongue. He will review your current x-rays and then present his findings to you. A screening for oral cancer can also be performed at this time.

When examining your mouth an instrument called a periodontal probe is used to assess the health and quality of your gums and tooth attachments. The periodontal probe is used to measure the pocket depth, or collar of gum tissue that surrounds the tooth. Normal pocket depths are in the range of 1-3mm.

A microscope evaluation using a phase contrast microscope may be done. This enables us to determine the types of bone destroying bacteria that may be present and the extent of your infection to the surrounding areas. A sampling of the bacteria in the area of an infection may be sent off for further analysis to aid in our determination of an appropriate periodontal therapy. A DNA analysis may also be done to assess susceptibility to periodontal diseases.