Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screening is a routine part of a dental examination. Regular check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth, including the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate. Dr. Jeff has the skills and tools to ensure that signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified early when the opportunity for a cure is greatest. And you should know that studies suggest that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of potentially cancerous lesions.

Signs to be aware of include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue

Blood Pressure

According to the American Heart Association, recent research suggests that one in five Americans has high blood pressure. And when undiagnosed or uncontrolled, high blood pressure places patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease, contributing to an increase in mortality. Since many Americans see a dentist more frequently than a physician, dental hygienists are in an ideal setting to screen for this silent disease. Taking a patient’s blood pressure once a year during a routine dental examination may prove to be critical to his or her overall health. The patient should always be told what his or her blood pressure is, so the patient can keep track of differences over time. Establishing a baseline reading for each patient, in a non-stress producing environment, is vital in case a medical referral is needed at a later time. Screening for blood pressure by dental professionals is proving to be extremely effective since most patients with high blood pressure are unaware of the condition.

Diagnodent

Diagnodent technology uses a simple laser diode to inspect the inner and hidden properties of your teeth. During your routine cleaning and inspection, your Smile Shack hygienist will use the Diagnodent tool to shine the laser into all suspect areas of your teeth. As the laser pulses into your teeth’s grooves, fissures and cracks, it reflects fluorescent light of a specific wavelength. This light is measured by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically to reveal a value between 1 and 100, and then displayed on a screen. Anytime the Diagnodent laser encounters decay taking place, even hidden under the surface of tooth enamel, it emits a higher reading of fluorescent light. A reading of 10-20 indicates some enamel softening, pointing to a potential problem area that merits closer monitoring. A reading of 21-100 indicates a definite area of decay requiring a filling. Since Diagnodent requires no X-rays, and is a relatively comfortable procedure, its regular use not only helps prevent the spread of decay, but also helps catch decay early enough that required fillings are generally simpler and shallower, which preserves more of the tooth structure. This allows us to use minimally invasive filling procedures.