An oral cavity cancer that spreads to the jawbone typically results in jaw cancer, which is a rare type of head and neck cancer. Our dental team understands how unsettling it can be to receive a diagnosis of jaw cancer. We believe, however, that being educated, prepared, and proactive can help ensure the best possible outcome.

Symptoms of Jaw Cancer

The majority of jaw cancers are benign, which means they do not spread to surrounding tissues. Occasionally, jaw cancers can be aggressive, spreading to surrounding structures and causing serious health complications.

Jaw cancer is characterized by four symptoms:

1. Jaw Pain: The majority of jaw pain is attributed to TMJ disorder. However, it is imperative to visit a dental professional to exclude the possibility of oral cancer if you experience jaw pain. Occasionally, aggressive jaw tumors may spread to surrounding bone and tissues, resulting in tooth displacement, which is often painful.
2. Jaw Swelling: One of the most significant symptoms of jaw cancer is swelling in the jaw area that can be seen on the side of the face. The swelling may also occur on the roof of the mouth or beneath the teeth, depending on where the tumor is located.
3. Lumps on the jaw: An enlarged lump on the roof of the mouth or on the gums should be evaluated by a dentist if it does not resolve within two weeks. There may be lumps associated with infections or benign growths, but they can also be caused by cancer of the jawbone. 
4. Loose teeth: Squamous cell carcinoma, which can reach the jawbone through tooth sockets, is the most common type of malignant jaw cancer. A jawbone tumor may cause your teeth to move out of place, causing them to loosen. Whenever you notice that a tooth is loose, you should seek immediate assistance. 

How Does Jaw Cancer Develop?

Smoking and chewing tobacco products are the leading causes of jaw cancer. Furthermore, poor nutrition, poor oral hygiene, genetics, excessive alcohol consumption, and viruses such as HPV are all risk factors.

What Can You Do to Reduce the Risk of Jaw Cancer?

Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and maintaining a meticulous oral hygiene regimen are all effective ways to reduce the risk of jaw and other oral cancers. Make sure you visit our dentist in Durham twice a year for dental exams and cleanings. We are always on the lookout for signs of oral or jaw cancer so that early intervention can be provided, if necessary, to ensure the best possible outcome.

Contact our Durham NC dentist to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. To rule out any abnormalities, we will perform an oral cancer screening. You can always count on our team for exceptional service and care. Make an appointment with Park Place Dental of Durham today!

Sharing can often be overly comfortable when you are close to someone. Kissing is a prime example. A kiss can spread more than 500 germs between two individuals. Your oral health can be affected by sharing a kiss. Consider these kissing dangers. 

Colds and Flu

Whenever you feel like you might be coming down with a cold or the flu, it would be best to avoid kissing. This will prevent you from spreading any diseases. Colds and influenza can be easily transmitted through saliva and nasal fluids.

Cold Sores

If you know someone has a cold sore near their mouth or lips, you should avoid kissing them. Cold sores usually appear as small, clear blisters that appear around the lips. Infections caused by viruses such as cold sores are highly contagious. There is a certain level of contagiousness associated with a cold sore that is leaking fluid, but even a cold sore without fluid can spread to others. If you see a cold sore, you should avoid contact with it!

The Kissing Disease (Mono)

Kissing is one of the best ways to spread mononucleosis amongst people. Sharing habits such as sharing a straw, cup, or food can also cause the disease to spread. You should never share your food or beverages with other people. You must never share your food or your germs with anyone who has mono, even if they appear to be in good health.

Fresh Breath Tips

During a kiss, it is only natural to want breath that is fresh and clean. Spices and flavors that are strong, such as garlic and onions, should not be used in cooking. There is still a strong smell of these foods on your breath long after you have consumed them. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene every day. Apart from brushing your teeth twice a day, you should also brush your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the inside of your cheeks. To help diffuse strong odors after eating, we recommend using a mouthwash or sugar-free gum afterward. If you feel that these solutions are not working, please make an appointment with us, as other factors may contribute to bad breath.

Kissing can spread hundreds of germs. Be cautious of cold sores, colds, and flu. Make sure that you brush and floss daily.

You can schedule your next appointment with our dental office if you would like more information on how to keep your mouth healthy. We are here for you.

You may be advised to have your child’s teeth sealed by their dentist during their next dental appointment. Dental sealants help prevent tooth decay from developing on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. To make an informed decision, it is important to understand whether a dental procedure will affect your child’s oral health.

Why Get Sealants?

The use of sealants prevents tooth decay. Sealants are applied to the back teeth, which are particularly susceptible to decay. Sealants are frequently recommended by our dentists for children and teens, but they may also be beneficial for adults. 

Located in the back of your mouth, your molars develop deep grooves on their chewing surfaces, making it difficult to keep them clean. Sealants prevent 80% of decay during the first two years following their application. Approximately half of all decay can be prevented after four years following sealant application. The risk of tooth decay for a child without sealants is three times higher than that of a child with sealants.

At what age should sealants be applied?

The first set of molars usually appears around the age of six, and the second set appears around the age of 12. Generally, sealants are most effective when they are applied just after the molars have broken through the gum line. The best time to apply sealants will be determined by your dentist during your regular dental examination.

What Should I Expect?

The use of sealants is one of the most common procedures we perform at our office. There is rarely any discomfort associated with this process. Your child’s teeth will be treated with a special gel after they have been thoroughly cleaned. After the gel has been removed, a sealant will be applied. With the aid of a small blue curing light, the sealant hardens in a matter of seconds.

What Concerns Should I Have?

Sealants do not have any side effects, and allergic reactions are extremely rare when they are utilized. If your child has allergies, you should let your doctor know so that they can determine the best course of action. 

Next Steps

When applied and maintained properly, a sealant will last for years before it needs to be replaced. To preserve the integrity of your sealants and teeth, you should visit your dental office regularly. If your child had sealants many years ago and you are not sure whether they should be replaced, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Please contact our dental office for more information and we will be happy to schedule an appointment.

It is well known that smoking and chewing tobacco can cause severe health problems, especially for the lungs. There is also the imperative point to note that the mouth and teeth can also be equally at risk. Hence, it is best not to use tobacco at all. The following is what tobacco can do to your mouth.

Chewing Tobacco

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) reports that tobacco chewers are 50 times more likely to develop gum and cheek cancer. In addition to causing gums to recede, tobacco also causes exposed roots to be sensitive. This is an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and cause decay as a result. To prevent this from happening, it is advised that chewing tobacco be avoided. Thankfully, our experienced team of oral health professionals can offer you tips on how to break this habit as well as tips on how to improve your oral health.

Smoking

According to the American Dental Association, smoking one pack of cigarettes a day has the potential to cause two teeth to be lost per decade of life. The likelihood of losing teeth increases when you smoke. So, you should avoid smoking cigarettes and cigars. In addition to causing staining, smoking can also lead to bad breath and a less-than-attractive smile.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can affect many different areas of the mouth, including your tongue, lips, the floor of your mouth, and your gums. There is a high risk of oral cancer developing in men and in people over the age of 50. According to the American Dental Association, in the United States, the prevalence of oral cancer is on the rise, especially among people under the age of 30. If you smoke, it is important to ask your dentist about an oral cancer screening, as well as to arrange to have a full oral health examination. During an oral cancer screening, your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, and cheeks for signs of abnormalities that could indicate oral cancer. If caught at an early stage, oral cancer can be successfully treated.

If you currently use tobacco, it is highly recommended that you cease using it. Our dental team and your physician can provide you with assistance in quitting smoking. Having regular oral exams is a good idea for everyone, but those who use tobacco should be particularly vigilant about this. We invite you to schedule an appointment to visit our office so that we may identify any potential problems. 

For additional tips on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next appointment, please contact our dental office.

The chances are that you brush your teeth twice a day if you are conscientious about your oral hygiene. You may even brush after meals since you know that regular tooth brushing is a good habit that removes plaque and prevents tooth decay. Maybe you’re wondering, “Can you brush your teeth too much?” As it turns out, when it comes to brushing your teeth, there can be too much of a good thing.

Overbrushing your teeth refers to both “how much” and “how” you brush. If you brush too vigorously or compulsively, you put your mouth at risk for dental abrasion, dental sensitivity, and gum recession.

Abrasion 

According to the University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, dental abrasion is the loss of tooth structure caused by mechanical forces from a foreign object. The enthusiastic use of your toothbrush wears away the tooth enamel and eventually the softer dentin and cementum structures. Abrasion is characterized by worn, shiny, and often yellow or brown spots on the surface of a tooth near the gum line. A wedge-shaped or V-shaped indentation on the gum line is another sign of abrasion.

Tooth Sensitivity

If the tooth enamel is worn away by toothbrush abrasion, the dentin layer’s nerve endings become exposed or close enough to the surface to cause tooth sensitivity. You may experience discomfort or pain when your teeth are exposed to hot, cold, sweet, or sour stimuli or when you brush your teeth.

Gum Recession

Continually overbrushing and brushing improperly may also cause your gums to recede. The softer cementum of the root is exposed and vulnerable when this occurs. The exposed cementum is not only prone to wear and notching, causing sensitivity and pain, but it is also more likely to decay.

How to protect your teeth after overbrushing

Dental abrasion and gum recession can lead to cavities and even tooth loss if not treated. Depending on the degree of toothbrush abrasion and tooth sensitivity, your dentist may recommend treatments to cover the exposed dentin and protect the tooth. Some common treatments include applying a fluoride varnish to strengthen the teeth’s surface, bonding a tooth-colored filling over the abraded area, or covering the exposed area with a veneer. Overbrushing may cause your gums to recede so far that they may never return to their original size. In some cases, gum grafting might be needed to replace missing gum tissue and protect exposed cementum.

Using the Proper Brushing Technique and Tools

Fortunately, preventing overbrushing is as simple as using the correct technique and tools. Start by following these steps:

• Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You may think that stiff bristles will do a better job of cleaning your teeth. However, they increase the risk of dental abrasion and gum recession.
• Be sure to check your toothpaste. Toothpaste with high abrasive agents may also speed up the process of tooth loss. Choose a toothpaste that contains calcium and fluoride to strengthen your tooth enamel.
• Make sure you are using the right technique. Are you brushing too hard? Look at your toothbrush. Using too much pressure might cause your bristles to flatten and fray within a few weeks. Place your toothbrush gently at an angle towards your gum line and brush in a soft circular motion.
• Do not brush immediately after eating. You should wait at least 60 minutes after eating or drinking to brush your teeth, especially after consuming something acidic like lemons or soda. While you wait, drink water or chew sugarless gum to freshen your breath.
• Take a look at your other habits. Overbrushing isn’t the only source of abrasion. As an example, suppose you routinely open bottles with your teeth, handle nails or pins with your mouth, or bite your fingernails. In that case, those activities might also cause dental abrasion or even a broken tooth. Enamel can also be worn away by lip or tongue piercings.

When it comes to a perfect smile, overbrushing won’t help. You will achieve clean teeth and a healthy mouth when you use the appropriate tools and implement a gentle but thorough brushing technique. Contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment.

Maintaining a regular schedule can be difficult when you travel. For many people, brushing and flossing can seem time-consuming. If you are traveling on business or for pleasure, we’ve put together some helpful travel tips to assist you in maintaining your oral health away from home.

Choose wisely when packing.

If you’re traveling for a long time, you should carry enough toothpaste and floss. If you have a limited amount of storage space, travel-sized products may be able to save you space. Another possible solution is purchasing a disposable toothbrush. These typically require less space and will not be as problematic if left behind. Many disposable toothbrushes even come with toothpaste already applied. Be sure the bristles of a disposable toothbrush are soft, since many disposable toothbrushes do not have soft bristles. Your dentist might be able to make some suggestions.

Make sure your toothbrush is covered.

Traveling will expose you to different kinds of germs. There are times when you might need to share surfaces with many other people, no matter where you stay or who you visit. A toothbrush cover that slips over the head of your toothbrush can prevent it from coming into contact with germs that accumulate on sinks and nightstands.

Water is good for you.

The best part of traveling is trying new foods. The consumption of sugary or acidic foods or beverages is generally not recommended since they can damage your teeth. Water is not only beneficial to our bodies, but can also be beneficial to our teeth. Drinking water can not only remove bacteria from teeth but also neutralize acids that damage enamel. The water also promotes saliva production, which promotes a healthy mouth. Consider taking a reusable water bottle on your travels.

Don’t forget the floss.

While it is important to brush our teeth when traveling, it is equally important to floss our teeth. Make a habit of always packing your floss with your toothbrush. In most cases, a simple package of disposable flossers will be worth the expense and can easily be included with your oral hygiene supplies.

Good habits shouldn’t be broken.

Keep your oral hygiene in check while you are traveling. Make sure you are brushing twice per day for two minutes and flossing daily. Maintaining good oral health when traveling is not easy, but it’s necessary. In addition to being fun, travel can also be stressful. A healthy smile depends on regular, thorough brushing and continuing care with your dentist.

For your oral health needs, please schedule an appointment with our dental office.