Get to Know the Affleck Team!

How well do you know your friendly Affleck staff? Did you know that Jaime raises cattle and that Kacie has raised horses? Read on for more exciting info…maybe you share something in common with Jamie, Kacie, Tana, or all three!

Jamie: Jaime has been at Affleck Dental from the very beginning- 2002- the same year as the Olympics in Salt Lake. She loves any outdoor activity, including riding horses, camping, boating, both in Utah and the surrounding states. Summer is an especially exciting time as she can enjoy lots of outdoor activities. Jamie has been married for 20 years and has two beautiful 13 and 15-year-old daughters. 

Kacie and Jamie have been long-time family friends. Kacie started at Affleck Dental in 2009, and has always been interested in the health field. What she loves best about working at Affleck Dental is helping people, watching the transformations, smiles, and seeing them get their lives back. Like Jamie, Kacie also enjoys camping and hunting. She also has fun playing softball and dodgeball. 

Tana is one of the newest members of the Affleck Team and has been at Affleck Dental for 13 months. She enjoys helping make Affleck Dental patients happy and has had an interest in the health field throughout her life. Tana also loves anything outdoors, such as boating, ATVing, and snowboarding at Powder Mountain.

Hope you enjoying getting to know the Affleck Team! We hope to see you in the office and look forward to helping you however we can. Hope you have a great day and Labor Day weekend!

Oral Cancer Prevention

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, affects nearly 35,000 Americans each year and kills around 8,000. While oral cancer may occur at any age and affects both men and women, it is most common in men over 40. Oral cancer can begin almost anywhere in the mouth- this includes the teeth, tongue, gums, top of the mouth, bottom of the mouth, inside and outside linings of the lips, inside linings of the cheeks, and sometimes even near the top of the throat. It is important to prevent oral cancer as a healthy mouth and oral cavity are essential for a healthy, functioning body. Below are some ideas to help reduce the risk of oral cancer. You may already be incorporating some of the ideas into you own life. Read on for our thoughts:

Tobacco use is the primary cause of oral cancer in both men and women and should be avoided. Tobacco use not only includes smoking cigarretes, but also cigars and pipes. Chewing tobacco may also cause cancer. It is best to not start using tobacco, but if you are a user, consult with your dentist or doctor to determine the best treatment plan available to help lessen or eliminate your use of tobacco.

Your risk for oral cancer increases with the amount of beer, liquor, or wine consumed per day. Someone that drinks three to four alcoholic beverages per day has an oral cancer risk that is twice that of someone that does not consume alcohol. To reduce your alcohol use, consult with a doctor or review treatment centers or groups in your area.

Sunlight exposure may increase the risk of mouth or lip cancer. Make sure you wear a protective chapstick or lotion when in the sun, especially for extended periods. And, Prevent the growth of bacteria and diseases in your mouth by brushing at least two times a day and floss regularly. Make sure to incorporate healthy foods into your diet and start or maintain an exercise routine. With the right mindset and determination, you can equip your body with the best tools possible to help prevent oral cancer.

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Dental Health: Fact and Myth

Proper dental care isn’t always black and white.  We know “facts” like brushing and flossing your teeth is the best way to avoid cavities; sweets are the main cause of cavities and tooth decay; and root canals are the result of unattended cavities…right?  How accurate are these “facts”?  They all sound correct, but surprising as it may be they are not all true.  

Naturally, brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent cavities best is 100% true.  This is the best way to sweep away bacteria from the tooth’s surface as well as in between the teeth-where cavities are most prone to be. Besides overall health, brushing and flossing your teeth also helps with fresher breath and a shinier smile.

            Next “fact”: avoid sweets to keep from getting cavities.  Avoiding sweets can definitely keep you healthier in all aspects; however, it does not ensure you will never get a cavity.  Sugar is a cause of cavities. Sugars are also found in carbohydrates.  This is because carbs are what bacteria thrive off.  The more carbs you ingest the more you feed the bacteria in your mouth.  This can cause tooth decay and cavities.  So if you’re avoiding sweets, good for you!  But try as well to cut back on the carbs too as these count as sugar as well!

            Third “fact”: While cavities can lead to a root canals, cavities are not the only cause.  If you have a cracked or otherwise traumatized tooth, this can cause need for a root canal.  The purpose of a root canal is to dig out a damaged nerve within the tooth then sealing the tooth back up.  There are a number of things that can lead to a damaged nerve. Make sure and get any cracked or chipped tooth correctly fixed to avoid the possibility of a root canal.

            Of course we all aren’t perfect, which is why we have experts to call on for help in the dental area.  Simply call Affleck Dental for a free consultation today!  (801) 782-5010