The Mouth Cancer Check at Absolute Dental

 

As part of every Dental Health Assessment, our dentists carry out a visual examination and check for the early signs of mouth cancer.  Please do talk about the examination with your dentist – they will be more than happy to talk through exactly what they are doing, where they are looking, and what they are searching for.

Here are the six basic areas your dentist will investigate during a normal Dental health Assessment:

Your dentist will look at your face and neck.  They will judge whether both sides look the same and search for any lumps, bumps or swellings that are only on one side of the face.  Your dentists will also feel and press along the sides and front of your neck – they are looking for any tenderness or lumps to the touch.

Your dentist will pull down your lower lip and look inside for any sores or change in colour.  Next, they will use their thumb and forefinger to feel the lip for lumps, bumps or changes in texture.  This will then be repeated on the upper lip.

The dentists will use their finger to pull out your cheek so that they can see inside.  They will look for red, white or dark patches.  They will then place their index finger inside your cheek, with their thumb on the outside.  They will then gently squeeze and roll the cheek to check for any lumps, tenderness or ulcers, repeating this action on the other cheek.

With your head tilted back and mouth open wide, your dentist will look to see if there are any lumps or if there is any change in colour.  They will run their finger on the roof of your mouth to feel for any lumps.

Your dentist will examine your tongue, looking at the surface for any changes in colour or texture.  They might ask you to stick out your tongue or move it from one side to another, again looking for any swelling, change in colour or ulcers.  They will also take a look at the underside of the tongue by placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth.

The dentist will look at the floor of the mouth for changes in colour that are different than normal.  They will gently press their finger along the floor of their mouth and underside of your tongue to feel for any lumps, swellings or ulcers.

Mouth Cancer - the Silent Killer

• More than 2,000 people lose their life to mouth cancer in the UK every year
• There are more deaths from mouth cancer than there are through road traffic accidents
• Mouth cancer also claims more lives per year than cervical and testicular cancer combined

• Although the number of mouth cancer cases have increased steadily over the last decade, more people are being treated successfully and living for longer
• Early detection for mouth cancer results in a survival outcome of 90%….
• However, delayed diagnosis means survival rates plummet to as little as 50%

Our dentists carry out a Mouth Cancer check at every Dental Health Assessment.

 

 

Six Month Smiles - One month on.......

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight- and speaking of straight... I am one month into my Six Month Smile treatment at Absolute Dental, and I am ecstatic with the results in such a short time period!

The treatment is definitely proving to be worth it, despite my initial reluctance to resist all coloured food, and I am optimistic my brace will be off for Christmas - much earlier than originally expected!

Orthodontic horror stories are definitely irrelevant with this special brace; as I have experienced no pain at all during my second wire, and I am completely elated with my result so far.

Most importantly, my lisp has ceased to manifest, therefore allowing me to be entirely happy with my new smile. Of course I would strongly suggest anyone with the slightest interest, to enquire about a 6MS, and ask the lovely team at Absolute how to transform your pearly whites!

IJ

Your mouth - A window on your general health.

Did you know that your dental health can offer clues about your overall health? Or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Here at Absolute Dental, our dentists, hygienists and therapists are trying to help you understand this intimate connection.What's the connection between dental health and overall health?

Like it or not, our mouths are full of bacteria — but relax, most of them are harmless. Normally the body's immune system and good oral health care, such as twice daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and cause oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Also, some dental procedures, medications, or treatments that reduce saliva flow, can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth.

Your dental health may affect/be affected by or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

Endocarditis. Gum disease and certain dental procedures may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).

Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from a severe form of gum disease.

Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, leading to tooth loss.

Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.

Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.

Absolute Dental will regularly ask you to complete a medical update to check if there are any changes to your general well-being since your last visit and you should let us know if you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition or are taking regular medication.

Good oral health can be promoted by:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Floss daily.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Schedule regular dental health assessments
• Also, watch for signs and symptoms of oral disease and contact your dentist as soon as a problem arises. Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

Mouth Cancer - The Risk Factors

The Risk Factors

• Two thirds of mouth cancer cases are linked to smoking tobacco
• A morning cigarette doubles the chances of developing the disease
• Smokers put themselves at almost three times higher risk
• …but cigars and pipe smokers put themselves at greater risk
• Ex-smokers reduce their risk by a third
• Second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk for those who have never smoked
• Smokeless tobacco use can increase the risk of developing mouth cancer by 15 times
• Drinking alcohol to excess is linked to around a third of all cases
• Those who smoke and drink to excess put themselves at risk by up to 30 times
• More than half of cases in the UK are linked to a poor diet
• Solar radiation from the sun has been linked to cancer of the lip
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) is estimated to overtake smoking as the number one cause of mouth cancers in the future
• Mouth cancer is 2.5 times higher in those with periodontal disease
• …and is 60 times higher in people with six or more missing teeth
• Mouth cancer is 12 to 16 times higher in those who have previous been diagnosed with cancer
• Mouth cancer is 70% more common in those whose family have a history of the disease

Our Dentists carry out a Lifestyle and Risk Assessment at every Dental Health Assessment to ensure any risk factors are identified and then we can help you make healthier lifestyle choices instead.

Is Sugar the Enemy?

Is Sugar Our Enemy?

You may have seen the recent documentary by Jamie Oliver on Channel 4, entitled ‘Jamie’s Sugar Rush’, and if you haven’t, I really would recommend going online and watching it on demand. It’s not often you see such shocking images of diet related disease, and as it transpires, we are all potentially under threat if we remain ignorant as to what sugar actually does to our bodies.

In the program, the TV chef explains how there are fundamentally two types of sugars we consume, ‘naturally occurring sugars’ as found in fruit and dairy, and so-called ‘free sugars’, sugars added to foods, as well as those that occur in honey, syrups, fruit concentrates and fruit juices. These sugars are the potentially dangerous ones, and we all know this. So, why is it, that despite the fact many of us do consider what we eat, that sugar is still causing such widespread health problems? Why is it Children as young as two or three are having to undergo major operations under general anesthetic to remove tooth decay, that was easily avoidable in the first place? Why are seven thousand people per year in the UK having major amputations to remove gangrenous ulcers, caused by type two diabetes? The answer lies in the hidden sugar, and If you watch the documentary, there is some very valuable revelatory information about how free sugars are present in large quantities, in foods that we would perhaps ignorantly consider to be good for us, such as cereal, fresh fruit juice, and ready meals to name a few.

Overall, the documentary highlights sugar as being potentially lethal, and it is no exaggeration. However, sugar is an essential part of our diet, and the sugar found in fresh fruit and dairy products is essential for cell function - we could not survive without this sugar. But the threat of sugar related diseases is increasing, and educating the public as to the harm we are doing to ourselves is of the utmost importance. I encourage you, if you haver not already, to watch the documentary, or have a look around Jamie Oliver’s website, where there is plenty of information on how to cut down on free sugars and potentially save yourself from developing an easily avoided terminal disease - prevention is always better than cure.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/sugar-rush

Paige

Key Facts about Mouth Cancer

Key Facts about Mouth Cancer

• Latest figures show that in 2011, there were 6,767 people diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK
• That’s 18 people every day – one person diagnosed every 77 minutes
• Mouth cancer cases have increased by a third in the last decade…
• …and it is one of few cancers that experts predict will continue to increase in the coming years
• Mouth cancer is ranked the 16^th most common cancer in the UK
• The lifetime risk of developing mouth cancer is 1 in 84 for men and 1 in 160 for women
• Cancer of the tongue and oral cavity are the most common forms of mouth cancer, followed then by the throat.  Lip, neck and other mouth cancers make up the rest of cases

Who Does it Effect?

• Mouth cancer is twice as common in men than women
• 86% of cases are diagnosed in those over 50
• Mouth cancer rates per population are significantly higher in Scotland compared with England, Northern Ireland and Wales
• Rates are much higher in white males, however those in Asian males are similar
• More than 90% of mouth cancers in men and 85% in women are linked to lifestyle and environmental factors

Our dentists carry out a Mouth Cancer Check at every Dental Health Assessment and look for any changes in your mouth every time we see you.

Mouth Cancer Action Month - What is Mouth Cancer?

What is Mouth Cancer?

Most people have heard of cancer affecting parts of the body such as the lungs or breasts. However, cancer can also occur in the mouth, where the disease can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat.

Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer, whether they have their own teeth or not. Mouth cancers are more common in people over 40, particularly men. However, research has shown that mouth cancer is becoming more common in younger patients and in women. In the last year 6,767 have been diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK – an increase of more than a third compared to a decade ago.

Sadly, more than 1,800 people in the UK lose their life to mouth cancer every year. Many of these deaths could be prevented if the cancer was caught early enough. As it is, people with mouth cancer are more likely to die than those having cervical cancer or melanoma skin cancer.

Most cases of mouth cancer are linked to tobacco and alcohol. Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking are the main forms of tobacco use in the UK. However, the traditional ethnic habits of chewing tobacco, betel quid, gutkha and paan are particularly dangerous.

Alcohol increases the risk of mouth cancer, and if tobacco and alcohol are consumed together the risk is even greater. Over-exposure to sunlight can also increase the risk of cancer of the lips.

Many recent reports have linked mouth cancer to the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer and affects the skin that lines the moist areas of the body. HPV can be spread through oral sex, and research now suggests that it could soon rival smoking and drinking as one of the main causes of mouth cancer. Practicing safe sex and limiting the number of partners you have may help reduce your chances of contracting HPV.

Mouth cancer can appear in different forms and can affect all parts of the mouth, tongue and lips.

Mouth cancer can appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally. A white or red patch in the mouth can also develop into a cancer. It is important to visit your dentist if these areas do not heal within three weeks.

Mouth cancer can often be spotted in its early stages by your dentist during a thorough mouth examination. If mouth cancer is recognised early, then the chances of a cure are good.  Many people with mouth cancer go to their dentist or doctor too late.

The dentist examines the inside of your mouth and your tongue with the help of a small mirror. Remember, your dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily yourself.

If your dentist finds something unusual they will refer you to a consultant at the local hospital, who will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth and throat. A small sample of the cells may be gathered from the area (a biopsy), and these cells will be examined under the microscope to see what is wrong.

If the cells are cancerous, more tests will be carried out. These may include overall health checks, blood tests, x-rays or scans. These tests will decide what course of treatment is needed.

If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good, and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure.

However, too many people come forward too late, because they do not visit their dentist for regular examinations.

It is important to visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend, even if you wear dentures. This is especially important if you smoke and drink alcohol.

When brushing your teeth, look out for any changes in your mouth, and report any red or white patches, or ulcers, that have not cleared up within three weeks.

When exposed to the sun, be sure to use a good protective sun cream, and put the correct type of barrier cream on your lips.

A good diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E, provides protection against the development of mouth cancer.  Plenty of fruit and vegetables help the body to protect itself, in general, from most cancers.

Cut down on your smoking and drinking.