Advance Dental: Blog

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month In the United States alone every hour of every day someone loses their life to oral or oropharyngeal cancer. It is the cancer of the mouth and upper throat. Only forty percent of patients diagnosed will live longer than five years. Patients often end up suffering from facial disfigurement or trouble talking and eating. Its fatality is directly linked to its late-stage diagnosis. Dentists are often the first to identify oral cancer symptoms in patients, which is why offering oral cancer screenings is crucial. Early detection and prevention are key. Symptoms of Oral Cancer Dentists should provide their patients with information on the symptoms and indicators of oral cancer. If a patient has an abnormality in their mouth that does not improve or disappear after two to three weeks, they need to see a dental professional immediately. Urge your patients to perform self-checks and be vigilant of symptoms, such as: Sores or ulcers that d...

The Dangers of Soda Over the last few years, the consumption of soda by kids, teens, and young adults has increased dramatically. These days it seems like everybody prefers to drink things that are sugary and acidic. What is important to realize is that these drinks offer no benefits to oral health (or health in general). According to reports the average person drinks around 16 ounces of soda a day which equates to 53 gallons of soda a year. Consuming 53 gallons of liquids filled with acids and sugar will repeatedly expose teeth to sugar, fueling decay. Harmfulness of Soda on your Teeth Soda harms teeth by directly exposing them to acid and by feeding acid-producing bacteria. Erosion occurs when acid breaks down tooth enamel, leaving the sensitive dentin layer with less protection. This makes teeth more sensitive to hot and cold, resulting in frequent toothaches. The sugars in soda also allow bacteria to multiply and produce acid as their waste product. This acid gets trapped...

Dental Care for Children Dental  Care for Children Even the smallest teeth need attention and care. Infants will start to teethe at about six months old, and many of the baby teeth will erupt above the gum line by the time the child is one year old. This is why the first  dental  appointment for your child should take place between their first and second birthdays. A child’s first dental appointment does not typically involve any treatment. Instead, this visit is a wellness check or "chair-ride" for the infant to discuss oral care during development and introduce oral care habits as a routine to keep up with throughout their life. The First Appointment At the appointment, you can hold your child in your arms while your dentist examines his or her teeth and mouth. You should use this opportunity to discuss your child’s medical history and any issues you’re concerned about. Your  dentist  will review the child’s teething and tooth development to see...

February 2018 Dental Health Tips from Dr. Stangebye at Advance Dental Common Mistakes in Oral Care Routines Brushing and flossing every day is the best way to maintain your oral health and protect your teeth against decay, and if you complete both of these steps at least twice a day, then you’re doing great! However, even people who practice proper oral care regimens don’t realize the simple mistakes they’re making that can counteract their effort to achieve a healthy mouth. Read about the most common mistakes people tend to make in their oral care routines and the easy fixes that can correct them. When brushing The most common mistakes people make when brushing are simply not brushing long enough and brushing too hard. Many people think that if they’ve touched every tooth that brushing is over, but brushing for a full two minutes is the best way to get all of the teeth thoroughly cleaned each time. Setting a timer or playing a two-minute song in your head or on your phone whi...