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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Start the New Year off right with Cosmetic Dentistry

Why Cosmetic Dentistry? Why not is what you should be asking yourself. Traditional dentistry focuses mainly on preventing and treating oral issues as well as hygiene. Cosmetic Dentistry is focused on the appearance of your smile. Your teeth may currently be free of plaque and other harmful additions to your teeth – but how do they look when you smile? Cosmetic Dentistry options can help with this.

There have been many advances in cosmetic dental options offering natural looking and durable dental options. This can range from choosing a filling color made from porcelain or composite materials so that they match the color of your teeth as much as possible to teeth replacements. A smile makeover is not comfortable, convenient and affordable.

Not many dentists are specially trained in the Salt Lake, Layton and Ogden area to provide these options. Affleck Dental, located in the Ogden/Layton area, can. Teeth whitening is one of the more popular methods and with the new Zoom Whitening options, Affleck Dental is able to accommodate all types of patients.

Other treatments for cosmetic dentistry are inlays and onlays and composite bonding to correct the appearance of your mouth and teeth. Along with veneers, these options are intended to simply correct and repair chips and cracks in the tooth. Dental implants can take it the next step further by adding artificial tooth implants all the way from the root. This option can enhance your smile and bring back your youthful look.

These are only a few of your options at Affleck Dental. Dr. Michael Affleck is one of the few local prosthodontists who can perform these procedures and ensure your excellent results. Start the new year off right with a free cosmetic dentistry consultation!

Back to School

You have probably been checking off your to-do lists for getting your kids back to school… new clothes, haircut, school supplies, register in sports, yearly physical. It may seem like the list never ends, but you may be forgetting an important necessity — bi-annual tooth cleaning to prevent tooth decay and the need for fillings in permanent teeth. Now is the perfect time to make the appointment for your kids, but also to re-assess their current habits.

Brushing twice a day is recommended. And with new kid-friendly toothbrushes and toothpastes, it is easier to get your kids to brush daily. Another idea is to pack a travel sized brush and tube of toothpaste in your child’s backpack so that they are able to brush after meals as well.

It also is crucial that the children are eating and drinking correctly. Sugary drinks and candy during and after school are consistently lingering around enticing children to partake; which also means more trips to the dentist. One way to help deter this behavior is to pack your child a healthy lunch and provide fruits and veggies in between practices.

While Affleck Dental doesn’t specifically provide cleaning appointments, its affiliates do. The staff and doctor from Affleck Dental believe that with proper cleaning habits, and bi-annual cleanings, you and your children will maintain good dental health and minimize the chance of tooth decay.