April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that each time Dr. Dersh does an exam at your check-up visit that he is screening you for oral cancer? Early detection is key in the treatment of any cancer as we all know. It is no different for oral cancer, which comprises the largest group of the head and neck cancers. Two of the most common known causes are the use of tobacco and alcohol & HPV16(human papilloma virus version 16). There is also a small percentage of the population who develop oral cancer due to unknown cause, thought to be genetic.

It is important to see your dentist on a regular basis not only for a cleaning and cavity detection but also for a regular check for any abmormalities in and around your mouth. When diagnosed early, the survival rate from an oral cancer is 80 to 90%. If you have any changes in the appearance of your mouth or lips, please call for an appointment: Your health depends on it.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuracy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Effects of Chemotherapy on Your Mouth

If you are going to be starting chemotherapy, you should visit your dentist before your treatment begins. Ideally, 1 month before so that you can get any problems taken care of. If time does not permit, at least have a cleaning and exam. Inform the dentist that you are beginning treatment.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells and can also kill some normal cells, even in your mouth. You may experience side effects from the chemotherapy drugs on your gums, tongue and the lining of your mouth.

Some of these side effects include:

• Painful gums and mouth
• Dry mouth
• Painful tongue
• Changes in taste

Here are some tips on oral care during your treatments:

• Keep your mouth moist with water and /or sugarless gum.
• Brush and floss daily using fluoride tooth paste and a soft brush
• Don't use mouthwash that contains alcohol
• Rinse with warm salt water -1/4 tsp salt, 6 oz warm water
• Avoid foods that are sharp, crunchy and spicy
• Limit citrus juice, the acid can irritate your mouth
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) causes chronic burning pain in your mouth. This pain may affect the tongue, lips, gums, insidde of cheeks, roof of your mouth, or widespread areas of the mouth.

Symptoms of BMS can include:

• Burning sensation
• Sore mouth
• Loss of taste
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Taste changes(metallic taste)
• Mouth pain that gets worse as the day progresses
• Tingling or numb sensation in the mouth or on the tip of the tongue

Possible causes of BMS:

• Lack of estrogen
  
• GERD (Reflux disease)
  
• Zinc or B vitaman deficiency
  
• Damage to tongue and mouth nerves
  
• Iron deficiency
  
• Hypothyroidism
  
• Oral Cancer
  
• Sensitivity to food additives, dyes, fragrances or flavors
  

Treatments for BMS can include:

• Vitamin therapy
• Black Cohosh ( herbal remedy)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Medications for pain

If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your Dentist for a complete evaluation.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Latex Allergies

Natural rubber latex is made from the milky substance found in rubber trees. Latex is found in many medical and dental products such as gloves, masks, syringes, tape and bandages. Some people are hypersensitive to natural rubber latex which can cause an allergic reaction.

An allergy to latex can develop after repeated exposure to products made of natural rubber latex. Healthcare workers are particularly suseptible since they are constantly exposed to latex products. Symptoms of a latex allergy can vary in severity from hives or nasal congestion to anaphylaxis, a potentially life threatening condition if left untreated.

If you have had an adverse reaction to latex, consult your physician to determine the best way to deal with the allergy. Inform your dentist and his/her staff so they can put an alert on your chart and take the proper precautions.

Fun Facts!

Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on October 3, 1863 and officially designated the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving.

Prior to that date, Presidents made an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Sleep Apnea and Dental Care

We are hearing more and more about sleep apnea, which is a very serious sleep disorder. This disorder involves breathing that stops and starts repeatedly while one is sleeping. This can happen hundreds of times per night.

There are 3 types of Sleep Apnea

• Obstructive- Most common form that happens when throat muscles relax
• Central- happens when the brain doesn't send correct signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Complex- not as common and is a combination of Obstructive & Central

According to the National Institute of Health, sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans, mainly obese males over the age of 40. Sleep Apnea untreated can affect blood pressure, depression, erectile function and memory. It can lead to concentration impairment and cardiovascular diseaase. Fatigue is common since the disorder disrupts sleep. Interestingly, sleep apnea is the leading cause of car accidents both during the day and at night.

Symptoms

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air or choking while sleeping
• Headaches each morning
• Poor memory
• Difficulty concentrating
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Frequent urination during the night
• Restless moving
• Waking yourself up from snoring or lack of air

Treatment

• Sleep Study to determine is sleep apnea is the correct diagnosis
• CPAP- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine that delivers air pressure through a mask that is placed over your nose while you sleep.
• Adjustable Airway Pressure Device- this may help if there continues to be a problem with the CPAP . It adjusts the pressure automatically while you sleep.
• Oral Appliance- Appliances work when other methods don't. These appliances bring your jaw forward and keep the throat open.
• Surgery-Surgery is done to remove excess tissue from the nose and throat that may be causing vibrations, which causes snoring and blockage of the upper air passages.

If you feel you or someone you know may be suffering from sleep apnea, we recommend you make an appointment with your medical doctor or a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Dental Trauma

Dental trauma may be inflicted by sports related accidents, car accidents, falls, fights, or eating hard foods.  The trauma that may occur can be a tooth that is knocked out, cracked or fractured, pushed out of position, or loosened by impact.  Because oral tissues are sensitive, injuries to the mouth are typically very painful.  These type of injuries should receive prompt treatment from a dentist.

A permanent tooth that has been knocked out is a dental emergency.  If possible, the tooth should be reinserted in the socket and held there until a dentist can be seen.  If it's not possible to replace the tooth in the socket, the tooth should be placed in milk, saliva, or cool water with a pinch of saline solution. 

For lesser dental trauma, soft tissue injuries may only require cold compresses or ice to reduce swelling.  Bleeding can be controlled with direct pressure with a clean gauze pad.  Pain may be managed with aspirin or acetaminophen. 

Treatment of a broken tooth will vary depending on severity of the fracture.

Since many of the dental emergencies we see are sports related, it is wise for children to wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports.

Please be aware that each individual is different and that the above does not apply to everyone. Only a qualified dentist in consultation with you can determine what may or may not be beneficial to your conditions. 

Flouride and Bottled Water

Communities have been fluoridating their water supply since 1945.  The American Dental Association continues to endorse this practice. Fluoridated water has been proven to reduce tooth decay by 20 to 40% and improve the oral health of millions of Americans.  Many of the brands of bottled water on the market do not contain the optimum levels of fluoride(0.7-1.2 ppm).  Some home water filtration systems also remove naturally occuring and enhanced levels of fluoride from the water.

The ADA recommends that patients investigate the level of flouride in their community water supply.  If you use a home filtration system, check to see how much fluoride is filtered out.  If bottled water is your primary source of drinking water, discuss fluoride supplementation with your child's pediatrician.  You can also contact the bottled water company for the levels of fluoride contained in their product.

The above information is for general education purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist to determine an individualized treatment plan.