Of course we all know how important brushing is in looking after our teeth. But how many of us only do that? The fact is that, for too many of us, oral hygiene begins and ends when we brush our teeth in the morning and again at night. There is more to taking care of your teeth than this, however.
As well as brushing you should also take care to floss. This is the process of pulling thin, dental wire between your teeth to remove the plaque that can lurk there. Brushing alone simply cannot get rid of all the plaque that is in these hard to reach places. Flossing might be a little painful in the beginning if you have not done it before. Your gums are rather sensitive and they may bleed a bit to begin with. But by flossing you are also helping to guard against gum disease which in itself can lead to tooth loss.
Having a healthy diet in the first place can help in the fight against plaque and watching what you eat is not about keeping an eye on your weight and your cholesterol. By eating foods which have less sugar in you are exposing your teeth to less plaque in the first instance so there will be less for you to deal with. You are best off abstaining from activities like smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol excessively as these can harm your mouth too.
Get into the habit of going to see your Central Leeds dentist every six months so that your mouth can be examined by a professional. This is the best way to ensure lasting oral health and proves that dental care goes way beyond simply brushing.
Archive for the ‘oral cancer’ Category
Central Leeds dentists advise patients that dental care goes beyond simply brushing
Friday, March 18th, 2011Guard against oral cancer with diagnosis and treatment from City of Leeds dentists
Thursday, March 17th, 2011Of all the ailments that can unfortunately befall your mouth, the one that you should be most vigilant about is oral cancer. It actually has quite high survival rates if caught early but is potentially fatal. You should make sure that you know the signs of oral cancer so that you can consult your dentist and deal with it before it gets worse.
The signs of oral cancer are rusty coloured and hard patches in the mouth. You might find that you are experiencing odd, metallic tastes in the mouth for no apparent reason and find that you experience sudden weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms it is vital that you consult your dentist as soon as you can; don’t wait for your next six month check up, make an appointment.
The high risk groups are those who smoke tobacco in whichever form and those who consistently drink alcohol to excess. Oral cancer also has far higher rates of prevalence in men than women. If you are not in one of these groups you should still be vigilant however.
You can examine yourself at home in the mirror, perhaps after you have brushed your teeth. You can search your mouth for patches which feel harder than they ought to and are discoloured, taking on a rusty brown tone.
Getting into the habit of visiting your dentist every six months is the best way to guard against oral cancer. There may be signs that you simply wouldn’t spot by yourself and allowing a trained professional to examine your mouth regularly gives you a good chance of beating oral cancer should it occur. Talk to your City of Leeds dentist if you need more information.
Leeds dentists diagnoses oral cancer early at six-month check up
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
Oral cancer is an extremely serious condition; one of the worst that affect a person’s mouth. Although the survival rate is fairly high with early diagnosis, if the disease is allowed to develop it can cause fatality. Your dentist plays a crucial part in diagnosing oral cancer earlier as they are trained to spot early signs such as the presence on soft tissue of red and white patches which don’t fade naturally.
Men are twice as likely to be affected by oral cancer as women and smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol can increase the chances of developing it. In spite of this, it is worth noting that in nearly a quarter of all cases the patient is neither male nor smokes or drinks, proving that not only those in the high risk categories can suffer from oral cancer.
Small swellings or rusty spots occurring on the inside of the mouth can be signs of the first stages of oral cancer and unexplained oral bleeding or sudden weight loss should be taken seriously and examined by at a Leeds dentist. Be vigilant too about difficulties eating or drinking due to pain or soreness in the mouth as these too can be early signals of the disease.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is crucial in the fight against oral cancer and dangerous substances such as alcohol and tobacco should be avoided. Self-examination can be undertaken by using your finger to feel for bumps, or visually in a mirror to spot any coloured patches. Most crucial of all is to continue to visit your dentist every six months so that they can guard against the signs of oral cancer.
The Problems Of Oral Cancer In Leeds
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
We should all know our mouths and be able to detect any problems in order to seek treatment, echoed by a dentist in Leeds. But to hear the word cancer in a diagnosis can bring the world tumbling down around you. Almost 5000 people a year are treated for oral cancer and it’s on the increase. So it’s important to educate ourselves into the causes of this disease, for prevention is more preferable to cure and with modern advances in the treatment of cancer, it has become less of a taboo than it used to be, but only if it is detected in its early stages. Excess and over indulgences in the search of the good life can be some of the causes of bad oral hygiene. The combination of smoking and heavy drinking are the greatest enemies of the mouth. But cancer can develop from bad diet, over exposure to sun or UV light and a low immune system also contribute to the build up of the disease. Symptoms follow- ulcers that don’t heal, lumps in the mouth, bad breath and loose teeth. A dentist would be able to spot these problems, so it’s important to have regular check-ups. If there are any signs of cancer, diagnosis will be made after a biopsy. Depending on the level of the problem, radio/ biological therapy, chemo or physical surgery will be required to remove all the infected areas. This can be a very distressing period and the recovery from such a trauma requires delicacy and support. Your dentist will be able to recommend the best solutions in order for you to make a full and complete recovery.
Regular Checkups Are the Best Protection against Oral Cancer, Says City Of Leeds Dentist
Saturday, September 18th, 2010
The incidences of cancer keep growing and it is believed that our lifestyle is responsible for it. Oral cancer also follows this trend, and it is not uncommon to encounter people who suffer from this dread disease. A City of Leeds dentist says that we could protect ourselves from a whole lot of problems, oral cancer included, if we just had regular dental checkups.
The mouth is a very inaccessible area, and it is very difficult for us to see most of what goes on inside there. As a result, we might miss the early signs of cancer such as lesions or bleeding, merely attributing it to a rough toothbrush or some hard food we might have eaten.
The fact is that a dentist needs to have regular access to your mouth so that nothing develops there without his or her knowledge. The dentist will be able to spot the first signs of cancer and take appropriate action.
Regular checkups also indicate that you are conscious of your health. If your standards of oral hygiene are dropping, then your dentist will be able to correct you immediately. Your dentist will also be able to advise you about the best way to clean your teeth. You will also be advised about the various habits or things you consume that are likely to increase your risk for this type of cancer. Smoking and chewing tobacco are considered two prime causes for this cancer. Thus checkups are the best way to protect yourself against oral cancer.
Effective Treatment for Oral Cancer in Leeds
Friday, July 2nd, 2010You may find your world falling apart after getting diagnosed with oral cancer. But there is hope at the end of the tunnel as medical research has now bought out various treatment modalities for this cancer which are highly successful and give you a new lease of life. Consult a dental oncologist in Leeds who can direct you in the right path to get cured from this horrifying disease.
The dental oncologist will first need to stage the disease after it has been confirmed by doing a biopsy. Staging is done to know the level of the disease according to which treatment is carried out. This may be done by performing certain lab tests and also by endoscopy. A dental X-ray is also taken to know if the cancer has spread to other parts of the oral cavity. If there is metastasis, which means spread of cancer to other areas, then a chest X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan is also performed.
Oral cancer treatment is usually carried out by a team of experts which include surgeons and specialists in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The post-operative team may also include a speech therapist and counselor to help you deal with the disease. The first step in oral cancer therapy is surgery where the lump or mass is excised out. The oncologist will then prepare you for chemotherapy or radiation therapy depending on the stage of the disease. These are undertaken as a monthly regimen and may last for a period of six months to one year.
Oral cancer is highly curable is detected early; hence consult a dentist or physician as soon as you notice any symptoms and get cured from this debilitating disease.
Leeds dentist advises on Oral Cancer, it causes and preventative treatments
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Oral cancer is a killer, but a preventative one. Cancer of the lips for instance is caused mainly by smoking and over exposure to the sun. Many of us tend to think of the sun giving us skin cancer, but it is emerging now that it also gives us oral cancer says a Leeds dentist. The symptoms of mouth, tongue and throat cancer are reddish lumps that are sore and often bleed. Once you find one get to your dentist or doctor straight away, ignoring it won`t make it go away. The cure rate is quite high, the treatments are not painful and your longevity will be increased, but only if you act quickly. Preventing oral cancer is all down to being sensible and taking precautions, your dental practice has a hygiene nurse to advise you, talking to them will enable you to make a sensible plan for keeping oral cancer from forming in your mouth. Being careful not to get too much sun ray exposure will also keep oral cancer away. Brushing the right way and flossing on a regular basis through the day is the best means to keep bad bacteria under control, and as this is the main cause of most oral and dental problems, it makes sense to have an oral hygiene format that is planned well. At night your saliva gland stops working, this will allow acid to build up and destroy the enamel on your teeth, by sipping water every time you wake up the acid will find it hard to do any serious damage. It is often the simplest of plans that work the best, so take the time to do a little research and plan your teeth cleaning regime well.
City of Leeds dentist explains the symptoms, causes and treatments of oral cancer
Saturday, March 20th, 2010
Oral cancer initially appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that doesn’t disappear naturally. It is most commonly found on the tongue, lips or lining of the mouth but can appear on any soft tissue in the oral cavity including the throat. It is a very serious disease and is life threatening if not treated early.
The most common symptoms of oral cancer include swellings or lumps, bumps or crusty patches on the soft areas inside the mouth. The spots are usually red or white and can also be velvety textured. It is also common for there to be unexplained bleeding in the mouth, numbness in the face and neck that can cause difficulty chewing or swallowing.
The people most at risk of oral cancer are men over the age of fifty, but smoking and alcohol also play a large part. Tobacco users are in fact fifty times more likely to contract oral cancer than non-smokers. Although it is important to remember that even the most abstemious of people are still at risk.
Your City of Leeds dentist has a crucial role to play in the diagnosis of oral cancer. It is very often the case that patients are not aware of any problem until the telltale signs are discovered by a dentist during a routine check up. This is just one of the many reasons why six-monthly check ups are incredibly important. Early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer are vital for your chances of beating the disease. Patients who are treated sufficiently early stand a greater than 80% of surviving the disease.
If you have any unusual or suspicious patches in your mouth, make an appointment to see a City of Leeds dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to carry out a brush biopsy of the area to determine the exact cause of the problem.
City of Leeds dentist diagnoses oral cancer early at six-month check up
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
One of the most serious oral conditions that can occur is oral cancer. The survival rate for oral cancer if diagnosed early is quite high but it can be fatal in cases where it is not spotted soon enough and allowed to develop. The dentist plays a crucial part in spotting the first signs and symptoms of oral cancer, which include small white and red patches on the soft tissue that don’t go away naturally.
Oral cancer is twice as likely to affect men than women and certain other factors such as smoking and drinking can also increase the chances of contracting the disease. However, despite certain factors making oral cancer more likely it must be remembered that nearly a quarter of all cases affect people with none of the high risk factors.
Amongst the other symptoms of oral cancer are small swellings like little bumps or rusty spots on the inside of the mouth. Any unexplained bleeding in the mouth or sudden weight loss could also be signs of oral cancer so they are always worth having examined at a City of Leeds dentist. Any difficulty experienced when eating or drinking due to pain or soreness can also be indicative of the early signs of oral cancer.
To prevent oral cancer, try and eat a healthy and balanced diet and avoid dangerous substances like alcohol and tobacco. Examine your mouth once a month both in a mirror and with your finger to feel for any bumps or patches. And always remember to see your dentist at least once every six months.
Defend against oral cancer with check ups at Leeds dentist
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Oral cancer is considered to be any cancer that is located in the oral cavity, including the lips, tongue and throat. It is usually manifested as sores on the tissue that don’t disappear naturally after a couple of weeks and can be life threatening if not caught early enough.
The most common symptoms of oral cancer are small swellings, lumps or sore spots on the lips or soft tissue of the mouth. These spots can often become velvety red, white or speckled spots after some time and do not disappear naturally. There are a number of other symptoms of oral cancer including unexplained bleeding of the gums, numbness or pain in the face or neck or difficulty chewing or swallowing. If you notice any of these symptoms or anything else that is not normal in your mouth, then you should make an appointment with a Leeds dentist immediately.
Oral cancer can affect anybody at any time but there are some factors that make certain people more at risk than others. Men are twice as likely to have oral cancer as women and this disparity increases after the age of 50. Smokers or users of any kind of tobacco product are a massive six times more likely to develop oral cancer. Alcohol consumption also has strong links to oral cancer, with similar statistics to tobacco use among heavy drinkers. Other risk factors include excessive sun exposure and a family history of the condition.
Oral cancer is more often than not diagnosed by your dentist so it is important to keep up regular check ups. A dentist will usually carry out a check for oral cancer as part of any routine check up and can take a swab biopsy of any suspicious looking lumps or swelling. If the spots are particularly dangerous looking, the dentist can perform a scalpel biopsy under a local anaesthetic. Oral cancers are usually treated with the removal of the growth and then radiotherapy or chemotherapy depending on the nature of the cancer.