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Preventative Treatment of Cancers Through Improving Oral Health
Gum disease is a frequently overlooked precursor to cancers. While all body systems are interconnected, traditional dentists often fail to acknowledge the importance of the oral-systemic link. In reality, maintaining oral health can be one of the easiest ways to prevent various cancers.
Total health dentistry is available at Dental Care of Morrisville in Morrisville and the surrounding area. We are proud to offer preventative care for oral cancer, gum disease, and more. Call us today at (919) 588-3000 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Total Health Dentistry and Gum Disease
According to the Mayo Clinic, oral health is "a window to your overall health." Oral hygiene issues are often indicative of deeper, overall health issues — whether they are preexistent or soon to come. As the mouth is an entryway to the digestive and respiratory tracts, it also acts as a natural breeding ground for bacteria. Though most of these bacteria are harmless, poor oral hygiene can allow them to multiply at dangerously high levels. This may cause several kinds of oral infections, such as gum disease.
Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. It typically begins as gingivitis, or gum inflammation, before progressing to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. Multiple studies have shown a correlative relationship between periodontitis and various forms of cancer, including but not limited to breast cancer, digestive tract cancer, esophagus/oropharyngeal cancer, and prostate cancer. Patients should speak to a complete health dentist about their personal risk factors to catch any warning signs of disease, oral or otherwise.
“Oral hygiene issues are often indicative of deeper, overall health issues — whether they are preexistent or soon to come.”
Total Health Dentistry and Oral Cancer Screenings
It is imperative for everyone to see a complete health dentist for a wellness visit at least once a year. However, some patients may need to see the dentist more frequently than others. There are several factors that can raise a person’s risk of oral cancer and other systemic conditions. Common risk factors involve excessive alcohol use, tobacco use, a history of oral cancer, excessive sun exposure, and certain forms of human papillomavirus (HPV).
A complete health dentist can determine how frequently a patient should be screened for oral cancer. However, virtually anybody can benefit from undergoing an oral cancer screening. It can be difficult to recognize the signs of oral cancer without professional help until it has already progressed. Early detection can be instrumental in successful treatment. An initial examination will typically involve an assessment of the lips, gums, tongue, insides of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, and back of the throat. From then on, the dentist can carry out further examinations as necessary.
“A complete health dentist can determine how frequently a patient should be screened for oral cancer.”
Total Health Dentistry and Pre-Existing Cancers
Many people are unaware that cancer treatment can take its toll on the mouth. Cancer treatment may cause issues with eating, talking, and swallowing for patients — thus lessening the overall quality of life and interfering further with cancer treatment. Common symptoms of head and neck radiation include dry mouth, infections, jaw bone changes, jaw stiffness, loss of taste or changes in the way food tastes, sore mouth and gums, and severe tooth decay. Chemotherapy may lead to changes in taste, changes to the tongue (burning, peeling, or swelling), dry mouth, infection, mouth ulcers, and painful mouth and gums.
It is vital for patients to let their dentists know about any concurrent treatments they are undergoing — or any cancers that they have previously suffered. Patients should also ensure their dentists and oncologists are in contact with each other to devise the best, personalized treatment plan for them. If possible, patients should see a dentist about their month before beginning cancer treatment. This can help ensure the health of the mouth. If they have already begun radiation treatment, patients should ask their dentists about using fluoride gel and jaw muscle exercises to stay in optimal health.
“Cancer treatment may cause issues with eating, talking, and swallowing for patients — thus lessening the overall quality of life and interfering further with cancer treatment.”
Total Health Dentistry and Spotting Cancer
With many types of cancer, patients may experience little to no symptoms until the disease has already progressed. A complete health dentist can help identify the warning signs before it is too late. All too frequently, patients may brush these off as simple pains or inconveniences. In reality, they may be something far more serious. Some of the early signs of jaw cancer, for example, include difficulty moving the jaw, increased pain, loose teeth, tooth pain, and trouble chewing. Even though non-cancerous conditions may cause such symptoms, it is always best to confirm with a doctor.
Jaw cancer is just one of multiple head and neck cancers, many of which may manifest themselves with oral symptoms. Oral and oropharyngeal cancers are also included in this group. Symptoms of such cancers involve changes in speech, chronic bad breath, difficulty moving the jaws or tongue, difficulty swallowing, ear or jaw pain, fatigue, hoarseness or change in voice, ill-fitting dentures, loosening of teeth or toothache, loss of appetite, numbness of the mouth or tongue, pain or bleeding in the mouth, persistent sore throat, red or white patches, and more. However, other types of cancer may be indicated by a patient’s oral health.
“With many types of cancer, patients may experience little to no symptoms until the disease has already progressed.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dental Terminology
Bacterial Plaque
Bacterial plaque is a sticky film consisting of bacteria that coats teeth and can lead to tooth decay without proper oral hygiene.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth in a condition in which the mouth does not produce enough saliva to stay lubricated and becomes dry and uncomfortable.
Functional Dentistry
Functional dentistry involves a strong focus on identifying the root cause of oral health issues and not just treating the symptoms.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the redness, swelling, and pain that is a part of the body’s natural response to protect itself from infection, toxins, or injury.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer includes cancers of the cheeks, lips, tongue, mouth floor and roof, and gums.
Oral Cancer Screening
An oral cancer screening can be a part of a regular dental checkup with a professional checking the gums and face for any signs of oral cancer.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a condition that occurs when inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth causes the gums to shrink and loosen the teeth.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.