According to the latest 2023 data from the American Cancer Society, there are upwards of 54,000 new cases of oral (mouth) cancer each year. One in five of these cases proves fatal due to a late diagnosis. Therefore, oral cancer screenings are key to early detection and treatment.

Dentists are uniquely qualified to detect early signs of mouth cancer. Learn about the importance of oral cancer screenings in this article by Dalton Dental. You can also book your oral cancer screening in Tampa by contacting us today.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer, or simply mouth cancer, is a form and the most prevalent of head and neck cancers.

It can affect the lips, jaw, cheek lining, tongue, mouth floor, or mouth roof.

Unfortunately, mouth cancer can look similar to oral problems, for example, white patches or sores. However, the difference is that in the case of cancer, the conditions don’t go away but keep getting worse.

Other warning signs that may indicate the presence of mouth cancer might include chronic bad breath, rough spots in your mouth, or difficulty completing normal mouth functions like chewing, speaking, swallowing, or moving your jaws/tongue. If you ever experience these, schedule an appointment immediately with your dentist or healthcare provider.

Why Oral Cancer Screenings are Important

Mouth cancer screenings help dentists or healthcare providers look for any signs of cancer in or around your mouth. During the oral examination, the physician looks for any abnormalities or lesions in your mouth by:

• Visually observing the inside and around of your mouth for any abnormal white patches, lesions, or red areas.
• Touching the tissue in the gums, cheek lining, mouth floor, and roof to feel whether there are any bumps or lumps.
• A special oral cancer screening dye or light may be used during the procedure. The paint helps the dentist quickly identify lesions since they tend to absorb most of the dye. On the other hand, lighting may be used together with fluorescent mouthwash to help illuminate inconsistent tissue.

The importance of going through an oral cancer examination cannot be stressed enough. This is the best tool in your dentist’s hands to discover any cancerous or precancerous lesions early enough. Studies show that when cancer is detected in its initial stage, treatment efforts are more effective and successful than in late-stage cancer.

How Often Should I Get an Oral Cancer Screening?

It’s universally accepted that bi-annual oral cancer screenings are essential. The good thing is that the screening takes just a few minutes and can happen during your usual dental visit. Besides, no further action is required unless abnormalities are discovered during the screening.

What Happens After Oral Cancer Screening?

Typically, any action is needed only when there is a positive indication of abnormalities. If this is your case, you may be required to undergo additional tests for oral cancer to confirm whether it’s present.

Usually, a follow-up screening is scheduled after a few weeks to determine whether the abnormality is receding, growing, or changing. If this second visit confirms increasing or shifting abnormal lesions, a sample of your cells or tissue (from the affected area) is taken for an oral cancer biopsy. A biopsy is the only method to tell whether someone has cancer.

Oral Cancer Screenings in Tampa, Florida

Opting for oral cancer screenings dramatically increases your chances of an early diagnosis of cancer, significantly increasing the degree of success in treating it and giving you peace of mind.

At Dalton Dental, we’re committed to helping the residents of Tampa, FL, access the best oral health services, including mouth cancer screening.

Schedule your oral cancer screening appointment today by contacting us online or at (813) 872-8300.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS

Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.

She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.

She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.

To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.

The post Oral Cancer Screening: Your Key to Early Detection and Treatment appeared first on Dalton Dental.

If you play a sport or struggle with bruxism, a mouthguard is necessary to preserve the condition of your teeth. Here’s how mouthguards protect your oral health:

Prevent Mouth Injuries

Athletes in contact sports need to wear mouthguards for protection against face and mouth injuries. If you receive a blow to the face while playing a sport, the mouthguard will absorb some of the impacts. It will also spread the impact out across a larger surface area. This can reduce or entirely prevent damage to the teeth and mouth. 

Even if a mouthguard isn’t required to play your sport, wearing a mouthguard is likely the wise choice. Sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball aren’t technically contact sports, but present the risk of dental injuries and should be played with a mouthguard.

Protection Against TMJ Disorders

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. Bruxism, which is the clenching or grinding of the teeth, can contribute to TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders often cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty chewing. 

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, wearing a mouthguard can keep you from developing a TMJ disorder or relieve the symptoms of a current TMJ disorder. Mouthguards open the jaw back up when you grind or clench during the night, which reduces strain on the TMJ. This allows the inflamed joint to heal, leading to relief from pain and discomfort. 

Stop Damage To The Teeth

Similarly, if you clench or grind at night, you can cause significant damage to the teeth over time. Bruxism can lead to a worn-down enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, chipped or broken teeth, and even tooth loss. By wearing a mouthguard, you can protect your teeth against damage by reducing the impact on your teeth whenever you clench or grind. 

At Dalton Dental, we offer custom-fit, high-quality mouthguards for superior comfort. It can be difficult to get used to wearing a mouthguard, but with our durable, high-performance mouthguards, you can trust that the mouthguard will stay in place and fit like a glove. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS

Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.

She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.

She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.

To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.

The post Mouthguards: Protect Your Teeth and Face in Sports and at Night appeared first on Dalton Dental.

Regular dental check-ups are crucial to keep up the appearance and strength of your teeth as well as your gum health. However, did you know that your level of oral health can influence your overall health?

Certain details of your dental health can point to signs of health issues elsewhere in your body, which is just one reason why it’s so important to maintain positive oral health with regular trips to the dentist.

How Does Oral Health Connect to General Health?

Every system within your body contains millions of bacteria. Most of these are completely harmless and, in fact, help maintain the health of certain organs. However, not all bacteria is helpful or harmless; some bacteria can lead to issues such as bacterial infections, and the mouth is one of the major points of entry into your body from the outside world.

Regular dental maintenance activities like brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash do more for you than just keep your teeth white and keep your breath smelling fresh. These daily habits can be extremely helpful for reducing the number of harmful bacteria present in your mouth, therefore protecting you from oral issues like decay and gum disease as well as generalized bacterial infections.

Poor dental health has been connected to several well-known conditions including pneumonia, endocarditis, generalized cardiovascular issues, and even complications during pregnancy or birth. On the other hand, several pre-existing conditions can lead to poor dental health including osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

The best way to protect the health of your teeth is to keep up regular cleaning activities like brushing, flossing, and mouthwash, as well as a healthy diet with limited sugar intake. You should also avoid tobacco and make sure to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist.

Improve Your Oral Health with Dalton Dental in Tampa, FL

Didn’t answer your questions? Need more information? Give our experts at Dalton Dental a call at (813) 872-8300 and we will be happy to help! You can also Schedule an appointment online.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS

Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.

She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.

She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.

To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.

The post The Importance of Oral Health appeared first on Dalton Dental.