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Oral Cancer Facts

 Each year approximately 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer.  About 8,000 die from the disease each year.

The chance of a complete cure is highest when detected early. When it is detected in its precancerous stage, oral cancer can be prevented. Oral cancer screening is a routine and important segment of the regular recare visits says Dr. Cherukuri.

Oral Cancer Symptoms
- A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal.
- A color change of the oral tissues
- A lump, thickening, crust, rough spot or small eroded area.
- Pain, tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips.

.Risk factors include smoking, tobacco chewing, drinking alcohol, repeated trauma and spicy food.  A full 25% of cases have no risk factors at all.

Regular Dental Appointments are Critical. Late stage treatment usually involves major facial surgery with only a 50% chance of survival longer than 5 years.

Early Detection is Key!!



 

Smile!!

"Toothbrushes Trump Seat Belts"

 As important as seat belts are as a preventative measure, toothbrushes have a far greater impact on the health and longevity of the American public.

According to NHTSA, seat belts save over 13,000 lives a year, nationwide. While few of our patients die from a car crash, many will succumb to heart attack or cancer.  Periodontal disease is a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke, low- birthweight infants and some forms of cancer.  Estimates are that about 80% of American adults suffer either from gingvitis or periodontal disease.  Using a tooth brush and eliminating periodontal disease reduces the chances of sufferring from these life altering medical conditions.

The Oral Systemic connection has long been an established fact but it has recently been relabeled "The Theory of Focal Infection"  The bacteria  originating in mouth enter the blood stream and infect the blood vessel walls of the heart.. Bacterial products in the blood can also stimulate liver production  of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, both directly linked to heart attacks.

Although periodontal disease is one amongst the many other risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol ,stress,  lack of exercise &  genetics, the combination of these factors add layer upon layer of increased risk of suffering a heart attack.  Periodontal disease is an important risk factor for strokes. Periodontal disease increases the likelihood of a heart attack by 24-35%.

In a recent study, a direct correlation between the amount of periodontal bacteria present and blood pressure has been established.

Totally wiping out periodontal disease will eliminate 158,000 heart attacks, nearly half of which are fatal.  Add to that the thousands of lives that would be saved by reducing cancers, controlling diabetes, preamature births etc- from a public health point of view, tooth brushes save more lives than seat belts!!!
 

Keep A Clean Toothbrush!

Dental Lasers!

Is this newer technology mandatory, elective or a hype?

While many procedures in dentistry can be accomplished with traditional methodologies, there are several instances where the use of lasers are  quicker, safer, easier and just  simply possible.

Diode or soft tissue lasers, unlike the electrosurgery units, can be used with pacemakers and used for small surgical soft tissue alterations with only topical anaesthetic.  Clinically, this feature makes use of  dental laser a very popular option with patients fearful of dental needles- says Dr. Cherukuri.

In addition, diode wavelengths are antibacterial and safe to use around metallic restorations. particularly dental implants.

Diode lasers can be safely used to remove  soft tissue around dental implants without damage to the fixtures and abutments and when used judiciously without fear of heat build up to the implants.  Simple soft tissue management to expose implant cover screws and during the final seating of implant retained crowns are much easier when a dental laser is utilized.

Laser treatment of cold sores also has significantly reduced the duration of these painful and disfiguring lesions or at times eliminated its manifestation when detected and treated early.

Lasers are an enhancement to technology today, tomorrow and beyond!!

Open your mind before your mouth!