Oral/pharyngeal or mouth and throat cancer is often not diagnosed in the early stages because symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer is advanced. Part of the reason for that is oral/pharyngeal symptoms can be mistaken for something else, such as toothache.

However, mouth and throat cancer can sometimes be spotted early during a routine exam by a doctor, dentist, or dental hygienist. Your dentists and or doctor may suggest that you look at your mouth in a mirror at least once a month to check for symptoms.  The of the more common symptoms of mouth and throat cancer are mouth sores that fail to heal, or a pain in the mouth that does not go away.

The people that are at a higher risks for developing mouth and throat cancer are people that use tobacco and alcohol. Most people who have mouth and throat cancer are tobacco users.  People who are infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is also at a higher risk factor, especially in people who do not use tobacco. The number of cases of oral/pharyngeal cancer tied to HPV has risen sharply in the last thirty years.

Links Between Green Tea and Oral Health.

There has been some studies that suggest that green tea may help oral health by improving the health of your gums. Although much more research is needed to establish the benefits, it is believed that the antioxidant catechin present in green tea is an active promoter of healthy gums.

Dental Plan Coverage

Some typical features of these plans: High deductibles before coverage begins (well-designed plans don’t apply the deductible to preventive services) Probationary periods on certain procedures that last up to a year Annual dollar limit on benefits Chose your own dentist Your average monthly cost: $15 and up Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.

Understanding the Importance of Your Oral Health.

Though many studies done over the years it has been clearly shown that there are links between our oral health and our overall health care. In fact our mouth is like a window into the health of our body. Yet that being said, oral health is still often taken for granted. Good oral health mean taking care of your entire mouth, which includes your teeth, gums, tongue, jawbone, and any mouth tissues.

By having good oral health care habits, you can help to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis (gum disease) that becomes more common with aging. Make it a daily habit to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush thoroughly at least twice a day or 30 minutes after eating. Also do not forget to floss your teeth. By flossing each day you can also help to prevent tartar buildup, as the floss cleans between your teeth and stimulates the gums. Flossing is one self-care technique that can greatly reduce your chances of developing serious gingivitis. Make sure see your dentist at least once every six months for checks ups and cleanings.

The Symptoms of Poor Oral Health

Your teeth should last you a life time. Yet, having poor oral hygiene and making unhealthy food choices, can effect your teeth and your oral health. Even though poor oral health may not show up right away it will eventually given enough time. There are many symptoms of poor oral health here are a few you should look out for.

1) Build up of plaque and tartar

2) Bleeding and/or painful gums

3) Consistent bad breath

4) Teeth sensitivity or pain

5) Decay in one or multiple teeth

6) Infection/Abscess that can cause dental pain

7) Loose teeth Keep in mind the best way to avoid having these symptoms of poor dental health is by having good daily dental habits at home.  Also make sure to see your dentist regularly in order to maintain health teeth and gums.

Vitamin D Helps to Reduce The Incidence of Dental Caries

Another look at an existing studies points toward a potential role for vitamin D in helping to prevent dental caries. The review, published in the December issue of Nutrition Reviews, encompassed 24 controlled clinical trials, spanning the 1920s to the 1980s, on approximately 3,000 children in several countries. These trials showed that vitamin D was associated with an approximately 50 percent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.

Effective or Start Date

When shopping for individual, family or group dental insurance quotes, always review the dental plan coverage description thoroughly for any variations in coverage levels.  Coverage is not in effect until an application is signed, transmitted, payment received and approved by the underwriting company unless otherwise specifically stated.  Finding the right value in dental insurance or dental plans is an important step in purchasing dental coverage for you and your family.

The choices available for teeth-whitening

There are two categories for teeth whitening. First is extrinsic the removal of surface discoloration. Brushing your teeth is extrinsic whitening by physically removing colored biofilm adhering to teeth and uncovering the natural enamel underneath. There there is intrinsic, changing the color of the tooth. Chemical bleaching is intrinsic whitening it penetrates the surface and actually whitens the enamel. The bleaching procedure can be done professionally at a dental office or be a prepared product either in a dental office or at home under dentist supervision. It also can be done at home using over-the-counter products you can buy in most food stores. You may want to talk over your whitening options with your dentist to find out what is the best choice for you.

The Dangers of Prolonged Thumb-sucking.

Infants will tend to suck their thumb and while there are not teeth it will not hurt them to do so. The real issue with thumb sucking comes from prolonged thumb-sucking. Therefore it is in yours and your child best interest to do your best to discourage this thumb-sucking as your child gets older. There are dental problems that may result from prolonged thumb-sucking in a child’s formative years.

One of the largest dental issues linked to prolonged thumb-sucking is tooth misalignment. If a child sucks his or her thumb for a long time, it can cause baby teeth to come in crooked. This can lead to issues with their permanent teeth later in life and in some cases, it can even affect the jaw alignment, causing your child to develop and underbite, crossbite, or overbite. However crooked teeth are not the only issue to prolong thumb-sucking. The roof of your child’s mouth may gradually become deformed if the sucking is frequent. This can lead to a number of issues later in life. The altered palate and crooked teeth may result in speech difficulties or impediments.

Why Baby Dental Care is Important.

Many people fail to understand why they should take their child to see a dentist on or before their first birthday. Yet there are many advantages to beginning dental visits at an early age. One of he main one reasons is not really about receiving treatment at all. The first dental visit is more to establish a comfort level for yourself and your child while under the care of a dentist. It is better to build a relationship with a dentist over time, then to wait until an emergency happens and then have to have real treatment provided under stressful circumstances. The child will be less panicked and, hopefully, more comfortable when more extensive dental issues need to be addressed if he or she is introduced to the dentist early and if able to experience the dentist under less traumatic conditions.

Another reason is to monitor for early dental problems that may arise. One early concern is known as “baby bottle tooth decay” and is usually attributed to babies who are given a bottle to fall asleep with. In reality, babies’ teeth are susceptible to tooth decay as soon as they erupt, and overall gum health prior to the teeth coming in can have a huge effect on the long-term health of baby teeth. Of particular concern is when an infant’s diet starts to include anything more than breast milk or formula, when more solid foods are introduced which may contain more sugars and ingredients or components that can encourage bacterial growth resulting in cavities.

Know What to Expect at Your Baby’s First Dentist Appointment.

The AAPD advises that a baby should have their fist dental visit at least by their first birthday. Most general or family dentist are comfortable working with young children but you should confirm before booking an appointment. Also you always have the opinion to be referred out to a pediatric dentist who specializes in infant dental care.

Assuming you have taken your child to see a dentist on or before their first birthday, there is not to much going on with their first dental appointment. It is relatively simple and probably won’t involve treatment at all. The first appointment is usually used to introduce your child to the concept of the dentist and hygienist. Most dentists have no problems with including the parent in all aspects of the first few dental visits. The parent will be invited to sit and hold their child during the examination, while the dentist or hygienist looks for existing tooth decay, structure of your child’s bite and health of their gums, jaws and other oral tissues. Your dentist may also discuss good oral hygiene practices, the effects of thumb sucking or pacifiers, teething issues, and when to book the next appointment.

General dentists would be your primary dental care provider. General dentist are also refer to as Family dentist as they are able to help patients of all ages. They can provide dental services to you and your entire family and they take care of your overall oral health. Your general dentist takes responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment and overall coordination of services to meet your oral health needs. If you need a specialized dental procedure performed, the general dentist may either work with other dentists that are specialist or refer you out to a specialist in order to make sure you get the dental care you need.

What is a Composite Resin Filling and What Are the Advantages.

A composite resin filling (white/tooth color filling) is a plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites can be used for cosmetic improvements as well such as changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth. The main advantage of a composites would be aesthetics, since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.

Dental Insurance – Cosmetics

Cosmetic dentistry may help you to get your best smile at any age.  One of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures to a perfect smile is bonding.  Cosmetic dental bonding is a fairly painless procedure usually performed in one dental visit by applying an enamel like material to your teeth which is then shaped, hardened with a special light and polished.

For a more dramatic smile, porcelain veneers can make a drastic difference. With veneers, you can control the color, position, shape, and size of your new teeth which can correct crooked, worn, or chipped teeth. This procedure can cost between $1,200 – $3,500 per tooth.

Cosmetic dentistry insurance coverage is not afforded by most dental insurance companies. If you are with a group dental insurance company through your employer, you may want to inquire if cosmetic dentistry insurance coverage is provided under your dental plan.

Cosmetic dental coverage is normally provided by discount dental plans. Discount dental plans usually cover 15 to 20 percent of the cosmetic dental care cost.

Dentist may be able to detect symptoms of Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease, which is initiated by a black legged tick, is difficult to diagnose, but your dentist may be able to detect this mysterious disease, reports the Academy of General Dentistry. Patients with Lyme disease report pain in their teeth, chewing muscles and jaw joint, which drives them to the dentist. Based on a study of 120 patients with Lyme disease revealed that about 75 percent of patients reported pain in the chewing muscles, and 72 percent reported temporomandibular joint pain. Burning mouth was reported by 25 percent of these patients, and 70 percent reported a sore throat. About 47 percent of the patients visited up to 10 doctors before being properly diagnosed.

Do not forget your dental care during the Holiday season. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays oral hygiene can suffer. With the Holiday’s more sugary treats and alcoholic beverages are consumed. In addition stress levels can go up with all the hustle and bustle of shopping and busy schedules. Although having and maintain good oral hygiene habits will help to counteract the effects of sugary snacks and drinks, with peoples busy schedules and long days hygiene habits tend to suffer. Make sure to stay on top of your oral and dental care during the Holidays to avoid any extra trips to the dentist this season.

Braces are often necessary in order to help improve the stability, function and health of an individual’s teeth. There are many people that do not have the confidence to fully smile due to being self conscious about their teeth. Whether their teeth are crooked, gaped, over crowded or their bite is off, having braces will not only correct these types of dental issues but will help to bring back their confidence so they can smile naturally.

Coffee and Doughnuts May Taste Good But They Are A Disastrous Combo for Your Teeth?  

We all have those morning when we are running to late to work and whatever the reason we skip breakfast and now we are out looking for something quick and easy, so picking up a doughnut and cup of Joe may sounds good. However this common quick fix for morning breakfast if done too often can land you in the dental chair. The Academy of General Dentistry has reported findings that show the sugars in oatmeal cookies amount to only one-fifth of the sugars in plain doughnuts, and that the sugars in doughnuts have been identified as a risk factor for gum inflammation and cavities.  In addition the amount of sugar and cream you put in your coffee can also have a direct effect on the amount of cavity-causing bacteria.

Oral piercing and tongue jewelry place athletes at a higher risk for dental and medical injury.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, oral piercing and tongue jewelry place athletes at risk for serious medical and dental consequences. Dentist advise when playing sports to wear a mouth guard now they are strongly advising to take out the tongue rings and barbells. In a survey, 24 percent of pediatric dentists reported that they had treated patients with complications resulting from oral piercing. Common problems include bleeding, airway restriction and chemical burns from the use of post piercing care products. After the piercing is healed, damage to teeth and gums is common in addition damage to teeth by tongue jewelry is another danger intensified by participating in contact sports.