Oral Cancer Detection

Here are some startling facts:

More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.

It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day.

Of those 34,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only half will be alive in 5 years. This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades.

The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma)

The high mortality rate associated with oral cancer is due to late stage diagnosis. We will be using a technology that helps detect suspicious lesions early. It’s called Identafi 3000:

Why are you avoiding dental care?

Here's a note and a nice perspective from Fred Joyal, the CEO and founder of 1-800-DENTIST:

Dental care is something that is often at the bottom of people’s priority lists. How many things on those lists may involve potential pain or discomfort or inconvenience, whether they are real or imagined? You might be imagining feeling that pain in your mouth or your wallet, or both. Now imagine comfort, improved health and a great smile instead.

All of you who really know deep down that dentistry is more important than upgrading your movie collection from DVD to Blu-ray, raise your hand. Just as I thought. So why don’t you see a dentist as often as you should? To continue with this example, new video technology for your movies will not improve your overall health. Neither will many of the “fun” things on your priority list. Do I need to connect the dots to point out what will? OK. Dentistry.

Here are some words to associate with dental care: new, improved, painless, advanced, necessary, beneficial, life-changing, smile, confidence, a good investment…. Get the picture? “A good investment?” Yes. Relatively inexpensive preventive care now can prevent costly, restorative care later. In any economy, spending a few hundred to save a few thousand is a good deal.

Events in your life may cause you to want or need dental care. A wedding, a graduation, a job interview or a promotion at work may make you want to whiten and/or straighten your teeth. It can work in reverse as well. Getting the smile you’ve always wanted can improve your life by giving you new confidence to seek that new job or new mate or new (fill in the blank).

Now, back to that priority list. Perhaps it is time to reevaluate it. All of you who really know deep down that you’d like to improve your health and make good things happen in your life, raise your hand. Excellent….

Dentist Love Blog

Arrival

We finally arrived in Eagle-Vail last night. I was reflecting on the process that has brought us to this point (there's still lots of work to do). Looking at practices in North Carolina . . . Charlotte, Boone, and Asheville areas. We entertained great opportunities in the Fort Collins and Colorado Springs regions. Then, on July 4th, we saw an empty dental office in Avon Center with tons of potential. It wasn't a difficult decision at that point to take the leap and move to the Vail Valley. We couldn't be happier than to have the opportunity to work, live and play in such a beautiful place. It's really a dream come true!

Vail - July 4th, 2009

Good advice from "The Doctors"

Our new logo!

Created by our friends at Practice Cafe:

Great progress!

The sign went up this week.
The contractor will start with some cool improvements to the office next week.

We'll be moving to Avon the following week.

Dentist Disco by the Dan Band

Top 5 Oral Health Myths

On behalf of the folks at Oxyfresh we present the Top 5 Oral Health Myths:

Myth 1. Bad Breath Is Caused By A Lack Of Brushing And Flossing

Truth:  Even with meticulous brushing and flossing, halitosis (bad breath) may still linger for some individuals. Excellent oral hygiene is essential for reducing the amount of bacteria, plaque, dead cells and food debris that accumulate on the surfaces of the teeth and gum tissues. All of these are largely responsible for oral odors and disease. However, there are other factors, many times overlooked, that contribute to chronic malodor. Dry mouth can be a major culprit to bad breath and can be caused by several factors, including the use of alcohol-based mouthrinses and harsh oral care products. Tongue cleaning is also a very important component to ensure a cleaner mouth and fresh breath.

Myth 2. Oral Health Does Not Affect Overall Health

Truth:  Research indicates a mouth and body connection beyond the obvious. The inflammatory response to gum disease in the mouth can easily allow bacteria and its by-products to enter the bloodstream, traveling through the entire body. This bacteria may reach major organs and potentially put your overall health at risk. Emerging research indicates periodontal disease may contribute to the development of heart disease and increase risk of stroke. Additionally, it may increase a woman’s risk of having a pre-term, low birth weight baby, pose a serious threat to those with diabetes, respiratory diseases and even osteoporosis. While further research is needed to identify all the risk factors, researchers agree a healthy mouth may be one link in reducing potentially serious health risks.

Myth 3. Stress Does Not Cause Problems In The Mouth
Truth:  In August 2007, The Journal of Periodontology released a literature review that indicated a positive relationship between stress/psychological factors and periodontal disease. There is enough evidence to suggest that stress may contribute to an increased susceptibility to periodontal disease. More research is being considered to determine the definitive risk factors and influence stress may have on our oral health. Some researchers are speculating that the hormone cortisol may play a role in the connection. Additionally, the correlation between stress and the decline in daily oral health care is being considered. It is agreed that by reducing stress, individuals may be at less risk of periodontal disease and other oral health concerns.

Myth 4. See My Dentist Regularly, Therefore I Don’t Need To Floss
Truth:  Visiting your dentist and hygienist regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings is essential to good oral health. Although it is important to be seen regularly, your daily routine at home plays a significant role as well. Millions of microscopic bacteria, plaque, food debris and particles accumulate throughout your mouth … every minute of every hour of every day. If you don’t floss, this bacteria and plaque find a safe haven in crevices between the teeth — which are the areas most susceptible to host more harmful, disease-causing bacteria. Initially, the gum tissues can become irritated and inflamed without you even being aware, eventually causing a chain reaction to more serious gum problems down the line.

Myth 5. Using A Mouthwash Will Decrease My Risk Of Gum Disease
Truth:  Although some mouthwashes claim to kill germs that cause gingivitis or are labeled as an antiseptic, that does not give you a “free pass” from gum disease. Many mouthrinses can be misleading, hyped and over-marketed to the consumer. This can lead to confusion when making a decision about the best home care products for you and your family. Most mouthrinses found in stores are loaded with dyes to visually appeal to the consumer, strong flavorings and sweeteners, including saccharin, alcohol (in some cases, up to 26%), and other harsh ingredients that burn and irritate tissues. None of these ingredients reduce your risk of gum disease.

The importance of dental health: A patient's VIEW