Information About Oral Cancer and You

Let us indulge our obsession with oral health by talking to you about Oral Cancer, its risk factors, and sharing good information with you. At my The Woodlands dental office, we screen every adult for it at every visit.

Oral Cancer Facts

• 8,000 people in the United States die from oral cancer every year.
• If caught early, the oral cancer survival rate is between 85-90%.
• Oral Cancer risk factors are higher among these groups: People over age 45, Those who smoke or use alcohol, People with consistently high exposure to UV rays, Those who have been diagnosed with HPV, and People with poor nutrition.

How Can I Prevent it?

1. Don’t start smoking or drinking. If you do smoke, quit. If you drink, drink less.
2. Get at least five servings each day of fruits and vegetables.
3. If you have HPV, get checked for oral cancer regularly.
4. If you are 45 or older, get checked for oral cancer regularly.
5. If you spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors, wear at least SPF 15 on your lips, and reapply sunscreen to your face and neck (and your whole body) frequently.

Early Detection is Key

Even people with none of the above risk factors sometimes get oral cancer. So even if you have no risk factors, make sure you get checked every year. That’s why we invite you to make an appointment with us at my The Woodlands dental office in honor of Cancer Awareness Month.

Please keep your regularly scheduled appointments at my dental office in The Woodlands. The more you see us, the better chance we have to catch any serious concerns promptly.

If you’re due for a visit, give us a call. We’d love to see you and promise to care for you in a welcoming, non-judgemental atmosphere.

Accepting patients from The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe , and surrounding areas.

Sink Your Teeth Into These Cavity Myths

Nobody enjoys having a cavity. Some of us even take extra precautions to avoid one altogether. Even more of us are still unsure as to what exactly causes cavities in the first place. Have no fear, my dental office in The Woodlands is here to debunk some common cavity myths.

Cavity Myth 1: Sugar is what causes cavities.

While sugar is definitely a way to get cavities, it’s not the sole contributor. Carbohydrates like bread, potatoes, and yes, sugar, are actually the main cavity causing culprits, or are at least the first step in creating them. When carbs linger in the mouth, they trigger bacteria. The bacteria creates acid which eats away at tooth enamel. This makes it easier for the bacteria to grow and thrive, creating cavities. So should you limit your carb intake? Not necessarily. It’s not necessarily how many carbs you eat that determines how at risk you are for cavities, it’s how long your teeth are exposed to them.

Cavity Myth 2: Children get more cavities than adults.

Advancements in dental technology and preventive tactics have actually led to a decrease in the number of cavities in children. However, senior citizens are a different story. Many seniors take a variety of medications. Some of these medicines result in dry mouth. When someone suffers from dry mouth, their chance for cavities increases since the supply of saliva is inadequate. Saliva is used to rinse away those harmful bacteria. Without it, cavities have a better chance of developing.

Cavity Myth 3: You’ll know when you have a cavity.

Not necessarily. While it’s completely possible to feel pain when you have a cavity, the pain could be associated with a number of other dental concerns like cracks in the enamel, roots exposed by gum recession, or simply sensitive teeth. However, when a cavity is present with pain, it’s likely that the decay has reached an advanced stage when it’s caused damage to the nerves. People rarely experience pain with mild to moderate decay.

We’ve revealed some truth to cavity myths, but we haven’t talked about the best way to avoid decay. Regular visits to my dental office in The Woodlands, brushing at least twice a day, and flossing once a day are time-tested, dentist-approved top ways to keep your mouth healthy. Has it been awhile since you’ve seen a dentist? Give us call!

Welcoming patients in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and nearby neighborhoods.