Preventative Treatment of Cancers Through Improving Oral Health Las Vegas, NV
Total health dentists provide preventative treatments to improve oral health and identify issues such as cancer early on. Getting a cancer screening from a total health dentist is an important precautionary measure. Early cancer detection allows for the best treatment outcomes.
Do not hesitate to protect yourself from cancer. Hybrid Dental provides preventative oral health treatments to prevent cancer. Call us today at (702) 628-5807 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Total Health Dentistry and Gum Disease
According to the Mayo Clinic, oral health is "a window to your overall health." Oral hygiene issues are often indicative of deeper, overall health issues — whether they are preexistent or soon to come. As the mouth is an entryway to the digestive and respiratory tracts, it also acts as a natural breeding ground for bacteria. Though most of these bacteria are harmless, poor oral hygiene can allow them to multiply at dangerously high levels. This may cause several kinds of oral infections, such as gum disease.
Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. It typically begins as gingivitis, or gum inflammation, before progressing to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. Multiple studies have shown a correlative relationship between periodontitis and various forms of cancer, including but not limited to breast cancer, digestive tract cancer, esophagus/oropharyngeal cancer, and prostate cancer. Patients should speak to a complete health dentist about their personal risk factors to catch any warning signs of disease, oral or otherwise.
“Oral hygiene issues are often indicative of deeper, overall health issues — whether they are preexistent or soon to come.”
Cancer Screenings From a Total Health Dentist
Getting a cancer screening from a total health dentist is important for early detection and treatment. We will check for cancer or precancerous lesions in the mouth, including the:
- Back of your throat
- Gums
- Inside cheeks
- Outside and inside of the mouth
- Roof of the mouth
- Tongue
Cancer screenings involve a visual examination of the tissues for abnormalities and a physical examination to feel for unusual growths. People should return at regular intervals for further screenings. Early detection is crucial since this is when the cancer is the easiest to remove and the most curable.
“Getting a cancer screening from a total health dentist is important for early detection and treatment.”
Total Health Dentistry and Pre-Existing Cancers
Many people are unaware that cancer treatment can take its toll on the mouth. Cancer treatment may cause issues with eating, talking, and swallowing for patients — thus lessening the overall quality of life and interfering further with cancer treatment. Common symptoms of head and neck radiation include dry mouth, infections, jaw bone changes, jaw stiffness, loss of taste or changes in the way food tastes, sore mouth and gums, and severe tooth decay. Chemotherapy may lead to changes in taste, changes to the tongue (burning, peeling, or swelling), dry mouth, infection, mouth ulcers, and painful mouth and gums.
It is vital for patients to let their dentists know about any concurrent treatments they are undergoing — or any cancers that they have previously suffered. Patients should also ensure their dentists and oncologists are in contact with each other to devise the best, personalized treatment plan for them. If possible, patients should see a dentist about their month before beginning cancer treatment. This can help ensure the health of the mouth. If they have already begun radiation treatment, patients should ask their dentists about using fluoride gel and jaw muscle exercises to stay in optimal health.
“Cancer treatment may cause issues with eating, talking, and swallowing for patients — thus lessening the overall quality of life and interfering further with cancer treatment.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Treatment of Cancers Through Improving Oral Health in Las Vegas, NV
Dental Symptoms That May Be Cancer Warnings
Some oral cancer symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions such as a toothache or sore. Our team conducts thorough cancer screenings to provide patients with an accurate diagnosis. We will check the mouth for swollen or thickened areas and abnormal lumps or bumps during the cancer screening. Rough spots and eroded areas on the lips, gums, and other oral tissues may also be warning signs of cancer.
People should watch for unexplained oral bleeding and persistent sores that last longer than two weeks. Our team will also ask patients about any unexplained numbness or pain in the face, mouth, or neck. Difficulty chewing, speaking, swallowing, and moving the jaw are also important possible warning symptoms. People who notice any unusual symptoms or a change in the way their teeth fit should schedule a screening as soon as possible.
“Rough spots and eroded areas on the lips, gums, and other oral tissues may also be warning signs of cancer.””
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the link between gum disease and cancer?
Q. How can cancer treatment affect my oral health?
Q. What is a cancer screening?
Q. What symptoms may be a sign of oral cancer?
People Also Ask
Q. Why is good oral hygiene important?
Q. How do cancer medications affect oral health?
Q. Why is preventative care important? How can it save you money?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What factors can increase the risk of oral cancer?
A. Various factors can increase the risk of developing oral cancer. One of the greatest risk factors is tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco. People who drink an excessive amount of alcohol, have had cancer before, or have signficant sun exposure are also at increased risk of oral cancer.
Q. What is a self-exam for oral cancer?
A. People should conduct a self-exam to check themselves for oral cancer in between dental visits. This involves examining the outer lips, the floor of the mouth, the soft palate, back of the throat, and the insides of the cheeks. It is also important to feel those areas for any unusual bumps or lesions.
Q. What are some signs of gum disease?
A. The first signs of gum disease are usually red and swollen gums. Without treatment, it can progress and cause other symptoms, such as bad breath, receding gum lines, and sensitive teeth. In severe cases, people may experience shifting teeth and even tooth loss.
Q. What are the kinds of oral cancer?
A. Most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. They make up about 90% of all cancers that happen in the mouth. Other less common types of oral cancers include verrucous carcinomas, minor salivary gland carcinomas, lymphomas, and benign oral cavity tumors.
Q. What are the risk factors of gum disease?
A. One of the most common reasons that people develop gum disease is poor oral hygiene. Smoking, recreational drug use, and a lack of nutrients can also increase the risk of developing gum disease. Other risk factors include hormonal changes, genetics, certain diseases and medications, and obesity
Scan here to view this page, Preventative Treatment of Cancers Through Improving Oral Health, on mobile
Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
As the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. The same is true when it comes to cancer prevention. We at Hybrid Dental may be able to help. Call us today at 702-628-5807 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
About our business and website security
- Hybrid Dental was established in 2012.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Clark County and Nye County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Las Vegas, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Spring Valley, Paradise, Henderson, Centennial Hills, Mt Charleston, Enterprise and Pahrump
- National Provider Identifier Database (1306143847). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Hybrid Dental on mobile
Back to top of Preventative Treatment of Cancers Through Improving Oral Health
QR code for Preventative Treatment of Cancers Through Improving Oral Health
Related Posts
Understanding Tooth Decay And The Need For Dental Fillings
Most everyone is familiar with the fact that dentists use dental fillings to treat cavities. What not everyone is aware of, however, is why dentists need to treat cavities with fillings or why teeth decay the way they do in the first place. We all want to keep our teeth healthy, and fillings have been…
3 Signs You May Need Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are often used by dentists to treat dental cavities. In some cases, they may also be recommended to repair cracked or worn-down teeth. Dentists look for certain signs to determine if a dental filling is necessary or if the patient would benefit more from other types of restorative care. In this review, we…
3 Things To Know About Dentures
Dentures can bring back chewing function and restore confidence for someone who has lost all their teeth. As a result, they are one of the most popular and economical tooth replacement options on the market. Dentists have been fitting patients with dentures for decades to keep them smiling and eating the foods they love.Though dentures…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Hybrid Dental on mobile