Regular dental visits prevent advancement of oral cancer

You already know that avoiding tobacco products is one key to preventing oral cancer. But according to the American Dental Association, there is a second strategy that is equally important: scheduling regular visits with your dentist. If not detected early, only about 50 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer will survive after five years. That is why it is so vital that you have your mouth examined every six months by a trusted dentist. He or she will identify anything out of the ordinary that may be signs of cancer or pre-cancer and advise you on the smartest steps to take next.

The ADA suggests that oral cancer is often preceded by the presence of “clinically identifiable pre-malignant changes” that may appear as white or red spots in the mouth. If caught early and removed by a dentist, these spots never have the opportunity to become cancerous – or deadly. Visiting a dentist on your True Care Advantage dental plan on a regular basis will help ensure that any changes in your mouth are caught at the earliest possible stage.

Also, remember that even if you do not smoke or use other tobacco products, you are still at risk for oral cancer. Research discovered by the ADA shows that up to one quarter of all oral cancer patients did not use tobacco. African-Americans also face higher risk factors, so talk to your dentist and develop a plan to prevent oral cancer. It could save your life!

Is your tooth cracked?

Believe it or not, it’s possible to not be aware of a cracked tooth in your mouth. Many cracks are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, or sometimes even an X-ray. To determine which tooth is cracked, dentists often ask patients where they are experiencing sensitivity to temperature as well as sticky, sweet, or sour food. They make also ask where the pain is centralized while chewing. According to the American Dental Association, cracked teeth hurt because “the pressure of biting causes the crack to open.” Once that pressure is released, the crack quickly closes, and the person feels a sharp sensation of pain. Even further, cracked teeth can cause the pulp inside the tooth to become irritated or even damaged.

In advanced cases, a dentist may have to perform a root canal to save the tooth. Treatments for cracks range from bonding to complete extraction, depending on the severity of the crack. Teeth can crack for a variety of reasons, including chewing on hard candy, nuts or ice; uneven chewing pressure; grinding of the teeth; and experiencing an accident that involves a hit to the mouth. The ADA suggests that the most important thing to remember is that regular dental checkups help prevent tiny cracks from becoming a large problem.

If you experience pain or sensitivity in a tooth, do not continue to chew on that side of your mouth. Call your True Care Advantage dental plan dentist and have him or her identify the source of your pain. Treated early, cracks can be easily repaired without stress to your mouth or your wallet.

Signs your dentures need replaced

Despite common perceptions, dentures do experience normal wear and tear and eventually need to be replaced. In cases where the teeth are beginning to show signs of considerable wear or are becoming loose, your True Care Advantage-plan dentist will make brand new dentures to fit the changing structure of your mouth. According to the American Dental Association, a person’s mouth naturally changes with age. For instance, bone and gum ridges can recede, which in turn shifts the jaw alignment. All of these changes can result in loose dentures that need to be remade.

In cases where people ignore their ill-fitting dentures, they may experience sores or infections and have difficulty chewing. The ADA suggests that loose dentures may even change people’s facial features, so it is important to talk to your dentist if you notice any loosening of your dentures. Experts recommend that people with dentures still see the dentist regularly for exactly that purpose. Check-up visits allow the dentist to take note of any changes in the dentures and check the mouth for signs of oral cancer.

Protect your child’s teeth by monitoring their diet

It is common knowledge that too many sweets can lead to tooth decay, but research points to another food group that parents should watch out for: starches. Starch can be found in a wide variety of foods – even so-called “healthy” ones like crackers, bread, pasta and pretzels. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests checking food labels for the presence of sugars and starches and then limiting those foods to mealtimes instead of as a snack. When consumed with other foods and drinks, sugars and starches are more easily washed away and removed from around a child’s teeth. For the same reason, sticky-sweet foods like dried fruit are more likely to damage your child’s teeth because they often get stuck in the crevices.

One common trap that many parents fall into is giving their child access to sugar-laden condiments, like many kinds of ketchup and salad dressings. These types of foods are not always associated with being sweet, but they often have lots of added sugar and can cause problems for kids who like to dip everything from chicken nuggets to apples. Finally, for very young children, experts recommend never putting them to bed with any liquid other than water. Juices and even milk are full of sugars that can sit on your child’s teeth while they’re sleeping and produce cavity-causing bacteria. To be safe, ask your True Care pediatric dentist for her input on your children’s diet. She can recommend healthy foods that are good for their bodies and their teeth.

Pediatric dentistry isn’t just for kids

When your children are small, going to a pediatric dentist can be a great way to relieve their anxiety about the dentist. Pediatric dentists are trained to meet the specific needs of children, which means they often have more success relating to their patients and making the process as smooth as possible. But what happens when your children turn into teenagers? According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, teenagers should continue to see their pediatric dentist through adolescence.

Pediatric dentists also specialize in teen dental issues, and it is important for your teenager to continue seeing a dentist who knows his or her history. Teenagers’ mouths are still rapidly changing, which makes it even more critical that they continue regular appointments at the dentist. In addition, adult teeth emerging from the surface are susceptible to decay, and a pediatric dentist can monitor the growing process to ensure your teen’s mouth stays healthy as she transitions into adulthood. The Academy also emphasizes the importance of instilling good oral hygiene habits in teens, who by now are making their own dietary and hygiene choices.

A pediatric dentist can help guide them in these choices and will press upon them the importance of maintaining healthy teeth. Talk to a pediatric dentist in your True Care Advantage dental plan and ask about promoting the oral health of your teenager. He or she will become a great resource and can help ensure your teen enters adulthood with beautiful teeth.

Keeping your baby’s teeth healthy

Even though your baby may have only one or two teeth, it is critical that you start establishing healthy dental practices at a young age. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, once a child begins eating or drinking anything other than breast milk, any teeth above the gums are at risk for decay. The Academy recommends not allowing a child to fall asleep with a bottle of anything except water and, specifically, avoiding allowing a child to drink juice out of a bottle. In regard to thumb sucking, it is important to take your child to a pediatric dentist if this habit is continued longer than age 3.

Long-term thumb sucking can lead to crooked teeth and bite problems, so make sure this habit is ended before any damage can be done. Finally, the Academy recommends starting to clean your baby’s mouth and teeth as soon as possible. Even if a baby does not yet have any teeth, parents can still use either a soft toothbrush made for infants or a cloth to clean the baby’s gums. Once teeth erupt, parents should use a soft-bristled toothbrush (in an age-appropriate size) to clean the child’s teeth twice a day with a tiny bit of toothpaste. By starting your child on a path of good oral health as an infant, you can set her up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. True Care Advantage will help you achieve this goal without breaking the bank.

Study shows dental implants are safe substitutes for natural teeth

When a person loses a tooth, either through an accident or poor oral health, it is often replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants are made to look like a natural tooth, allowing patients to continue to enjoy the same appearance and functioning they did before the loss. Although previous research led dental practitioners to believe that implants can disrupt the tissue and bone structure in a patient’s mouth, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology has shed new light on the implants.

Researchers found that most of a patient’s bone remodeling occurred after the implant was placed and before the final prosthesis was inserted. Further, they found that the bone changed very little in the following five years. This is significant because it solidifies the use of dental implants as safe substitutes for natural teeth. Talk to a dentist on your True Care Advantage plan if you think you may be a good candidate for dental implants; implants can restore your confidence in the way you look, speak, and eat.