Finding the motivation to go to the dentist can feel like pulling teeth sometimes. When most people think of going to sit in the chair, they think about cleanings, check ups, and fighting against diseases like plaque and gingivitis. Sometimes, we think of more cosmetic reasons, like teeth whitening and straightening. Rarely do we think that going to the dentist can save our lives. But it can. One of the fastest growing silent killers in our country is oral cancer. In 2010 approximately 36,000 people were diagnosed with Oral cancer. And that number continues to become larger.
How can a dental exam help?
In a couple of minutes at your regular cleaning, a method has been designed that can help detect the early signs of oral cancer. This is done with a swift and painless tool called a VELscope. A VELscope exam offers a strong defense on the war on cancer. The whole purpose of the exam is to catch cancerous, potentially harmful tissue in your mouth before it progresses far enough along to become a life threatening affair. As your dental practitioner xrays your mouth, the VELscope is designed to highlight any tissue that seems irregular or precancerous. Within a matter of minutes, your dentist will know if you are in the clear or if further tests are needed. If further tests are needed, your dental team will refer you to a specialist. The specialist usually consist of Oral surgeons or ENT’s.
Why is the VELscope Exam right for me?
This advanced exam is a fast, effortless assessment that has the aptitude for saving thousands of lives a year. Within minutes, your dental professional can catch the early symptoms of Oral Cancer. And the earlier you find it, the easier, and more effective the treatment.
The following statistics from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Database show some of the most important reasons as to why you should demand an annual VELscope exam from your dental professional.
How do I make sure my loved ones and I get an exam every year?
All you have to do is ask! It’s that easy. Next time you make an appointment with your trusted dental professional don’t forget to demand your VELscope exam for you and the whole family! You’ll be glad that you did!
Done once a year, the VELscope exam can offer you peace of mind about your health and well being. We live in an unsure world where anything can happen at any moment. Isn’t it reassuring to know that giving a couple of extra minutes at your annual dental exam can keep you and those close to you safe and offer you harmony for the next 12 months to come.
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February is a month that has been dedicated to children’s dental health. During this month, it is worth it to take a closer look at how to ensure that your children get the best dental care. The dental health of a child is as much the responsibility of you as a parent as it is that of your dentist. It may happen that some parents don’t know when to take their children to their first dental visit or even the small practices that ensure proper oral hygiene. According to research done tooth decay was found to be the leading dental problem among children in preschool. The only prevention of this is to teach and practice good dental hygiene with your children.
Looking at the right age to start to visit the dentist, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has come up with a recommendation that a child should see a dentist by the time they are one year. However, putting into consideration that some children may teeth earlier or later than others, count up to six months after your child’s first tooth erupts. Below are some of the simple practices that will ensure your baby has healthy gums and teeth.
A visit to the dentist may be scary to some children which is understandable. You can however make it more fun by showing them that there is nothing really to fear. This can be done by taking them to your personal dental care visit. Play around with them and be the dentist or give them a chance to be the dentist and let them examine you. Always allow the kids to ask questions just to make them comfortable. This is especially applicable to children over the age of two. For this age and above you also have to follow some tips and exercises that improve their dental health.
Tooth decay is known to happen when germs in the mouth (which are ever present) tend to mix with sugary foods and drinks. These germs then make up an acid that breaks down the enamel. This shows how important it is to always brush and keep away from sugary foods. Some or most of these practices also work in maintaining an adult’s dental care.
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