Oral cancer, it is estimated will be found in over 40,000 people this year. It is also estimated that 8,000 will die from it this year as well. That equates to 1 death every hour.
It appears that there is evidence that smokeless chewing tobacco is a contributing factor to oral cancer. Of course, that doesn't mean that you cannot get it just because you don't chew.
HPV also appears to be a contributing factor. This is the reason that more oral cancers are being found in people under 40 while historically a person was generally over 40.
Everything we do carries a risk. I remember our cadaver in Gross Anatomy from about 16 years ago. The guy had been a long-time smoker. His lungs were charcoal black all the way through from outside to inside.
Normal lungs would be pink, similar to the color of your lips.
So, if smoking can do that to your lungs, you can imagine what kind of problems it might cause. Oral cancer might be one of them.
This is a great question. What do you think the answer might be?
Freedom
Freedom means greater liberty. Everyone is seeking greater freedom. In some ways, more money brings you more freedom as you can use that money to buy more things or accomplish more goals.
Therefore, saving money factors into freedom. The more you save, the more you have to accomplish or get what you want.
Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants is quite high. According to this wikipedia article, costs vary in the US based on a number of factors. But $2000 is thought to be about the right average for a single implant - not including additional costs.
So, that would mean each tooth you save from having to be replaced could be worth around $2000 or possible more to you. Would $2000 but a dent in your savings, your budget or your ability to invest?
Besides pure monetary costs, how much is your time and suffering worth to you?
Gum Disease Is The Number One Reason People Lose Their Teeth
There is nothing else that comes close. Yes, people do lose their teeth due to accidents and due to other reasons. But, far and away, the biggest reason for tooth loss is gum disease.
Gum disease is an abundance of bacteria that secret acid byproducts that erode away the tissue supporting each tooth. When too much tissue is lost, the tooth may become loose. The dentist may wish to pull it and give you dentures or an implant. That costs you money and eats into your 'freedom' funds. Those bacteria might as well be reaching into your wallet, right? In addition, there is pain and recovery time to consider as well!
The Importance of Your Periodontal Pocket Depths
Generally speaking, most dental professionals will consider your gums to be healthy when your periodontal pockets are at 3mm and below.
On the other hand, when your periodontal pockets are above 3mm - generally speaking most dental professionals will consider that unhealthy and a sign of gum disease!
75% of people have some gum disease right now, according to many dental professionals!
What are the odds that you don't have it?
The HydroFloss
It's important to note that no one thing will work for 100% of people 100% of the time. That's just not realistic.
The only way to know for sure is to try, right?
Many dentists and hygienists recommend the Hydro Floss to their patients.
I personally obtained a reduction in my periodontal pocket depths using the Hydro Floss. Many of my customers have told me they have seen remarkable improvements in their gum health.
Of course, it is important for your dentist or hygienist to keep measuring your periodontal pockets on every visit. And you should definitely be following their advice. Again, nothing works for everyone 100% of the time. Every human body is different after all.
But, what if you were like me and found your gums returning to a healthy state? In my case, I was able to avoid a SRP (scaling and root planing treatment) or a 'deep cleaning' treatment. These can often cost around $1600 - in the US. I heard they are a lot cheaper in New Zealand - but I don't live there.
How To Know If It is Working For YOU
Have your dentist or hygienist measure your periodontal pocket depths. If they are high, try using, with your dentist's approval, the hydro floss for at least 1 month. Use two full reservoirs twice per day. (That's four reservoirs per day). After at least one month, go have them measured at your local dentist office again. If they are getting smaller - you may be headed in the right direction.
Coffee is bad for your teeth for two reasons. Both reasons stem from the fact that coffee is very acidic.
Reason 1: Acid directly attacks your tooth enamel. This can leave you susceptible to cavities as well as cracked and broken teeth.
Reason 2. Acid is the 'bad bacteria's' best friend! They love the acid. It makes them multiply even more rapidly! These 'bad bacteria' are the anaerobic ones. These are the kind that are responsible for cavities, gum disease and even bad breath!
Think about the daily routine of most people. Do they take any steps at all to clear their mouths of the acid after drinking a cup of coffee? Most people never think of this. If they had a good pH balanced mouthwash, it could be to their benefit. Even swishing with water is better than nothing! (but some water is acidic too - but not as acidic as the coffee!)
Most people take no precautions at all! And a few hours later, they are drinking more coffee or soda. In most cases, the soda is just as acidic if not more than the coffee!
In light of that, does it surprise you that so many people have cavities and broken or cracked teeth?
I hope this post will help you to think about these things a little more. In addition many other beverages and foods are acidic. Do your homework and you could save yourself a lot of heartache!
One test to help. You can do a pH test on your saliva before / after drinking coffee and before / after using a pH balanced mouthwash. You can sometimes find pH testing strips at your local pharmacy (NEVER put those strips in your mouth though). Follow all directions and warnings on the package before using pH testing strips.
* I speak in general terms only on this site. Specific questions about your unique dental health situation should be directed to your dentist or periodontist.
Let me tell you a little secret: There is NO SUCH THING.
The Hydro Floss model is exactly the same as it was in 2012 and 2011. The only difference is the packaging. Here is what the new packaging looks like:
And This is exactly the packaging that every new Hydro Floss has come in since 2012. So, some tricky marketer came up with that Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator New Generation 2013 Model stuff.
Whoever is doing that - can you really be sure of the source?
Nice thing about this article is that they even mention cranberry juice for its antibacterial properties. I believe they intended to say that it helps to keep bacteria from adhering to the teeth and tissues.
Gingivitis is, of course, said to be the reversible form of gum disease. The article went on to remind us that when left untreated the disease will progress to lost gum tissue and eventually lost teeth.
Aside from the exceptional cranberry juice mention, we received the standard advice about brushing and flossing 2-3 times per day. However, with such a high incidence of gum disease in the world, we have to question whether JUST brushing and flossing is enough.
Periodontal Pockets
The one thing I would like to add to that information, which would actually be helpful to people, is the generally objective measurement of gum health called - periodontal pocket depths. It would be absolutely fantastic to let people know that those measurements are important and why.
Of course, that would mean - gulp - empowering patients to make - gasp - their own choices.
NOT really! But, it does help patient's understand what they need to do to improve their dental health and a way to measure their results. Without such an understanding, it is really hard to just follow advice.
Give someone a goal to go after and LOOK out! Of course, that is not true of everyone, but I think it would be helpful to a lot of people! You do still need your dentist or hygienist to actually measure those depths - so it is not like people will stop visiting their dentist.
I think many people actually enjoy getting their teeth cleaned. I know I do!
Thanks to Noble Smile Dentistry for writing a helpful article on dental health.
We should not overlook, nor forget about prevention. Many
expensive dental procedures could be avoided in the first place, if
patient's were more educated about prevention. My favorite.
There are some really interesting statistics in that article. For example:
1. Children with dental health issues are 12 time more likely to miss class due to a dental health issue than students with great dental care.
2. Children with poor dental health care are 4 times more likely to get lower grades!
This article focuses on the State of California. There even appears to be a state mandated program for dental health screenings. But, there is no funding for the programs, so they are overlooked - apparently.
Their seems to be some underlying assumptions or expectations as well.
Should students be given dental care as part of the regular school program? I bet a lot of parents would be happy about that!
The burden of costs for such programs would likely be very high and California is already having a hard time keeping everything going with their education programs - as is the rest of the country.
Where is the balance between ever increasing expectations of things for free and how much tax payers must shell out? Seems to me we already have financial issues in this country. Are we going to make them worse?
On the other hand, who would be willing to stand up and say they are against what amounts to 'universal dental care' for school aged students?
Medi-Cal appears to be California's attempt to provide affordable dental care to poor children and it sounds like it has been dubbed a failure. They are having a hard time getting enough dental health providers to accept Medi-Cal students because the program doesn't pay enough.
This brings up an interesting point. Government programs are very costly. Even when in place, it appears that children are still having trouble getting adequate care.
Is it possible for family's and individuals to increase their odds of preventing costly dental health procedures? Such a possibility could potentially relieve the burden on such programs and protect the students themselves.
Share your thoughts and comments in the comment section below.
Do not overlook / forget about dental health problem prevention. Many
expensive dental procedures could be avoided in the first place, if individuals and families were more educated about prevention. My favorite.
Inspector's found improper procedures, improper sterilization protocols, rusty instruments and staff not authorized to administer sedation IVs, among other problems at an Oral Surgeon's Office in Oklahoma.
Frightening!
Letter's were sent out to about 7,000 patients urging them to be tested for HIV.
Please Be Careful
If you are a dental health professional, please be ever so careful about these 'little details'. It is not fair to your patients to use rusted instruments, improper sterilization protocols or to reuse drug vials.
Patients deserve the best care. I am sure they are paying for the best.
I do not know what to say about this type of thing. It is horrible. I hope that it doesn't happen very often as one expert suggested.
Patient Safety Should Come First.
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And don't forget about prevention as well. Many expensive dental procedures could be avoided in the first place, if patient's were more educated about prevention. My favorite.
Dr. Wiant's article is very interesting. It states that nearly 4 out of every 10 Coloradans don't have dental insurance.
Caring For Colorado Foundation has been able to increase patient visits over the last 10 years by a substantial amount. In addition, they have helped to establish 10 non-profit clinics. That's Awesome!
I applaud the Caring For Colorado Foundation for their efforts. I also applaud Dr. Wiant for sharing this great information with us.
It seems to me, based on limited knowledge, that a similar under served population exists in many states in the US. Dental care is expensive and dental insurance is perhaps even less prevalent than regular health insurance.
The US sure is having a tough time with health care isn't it? The cost of dental care when compared to GDP is so much higher than most (or perhaps all) other developed nations. That is incredible, isn't it?
Unfortunately, the problems don't seem to be fundamentally fixable. As of yet, there has not been a solution that everyone will agree upon that actually works towards lowering health care costs and thereby presumably allowing access for more people.
As we have seen with other recent legislation, once a bill goes to lobby, it is subject to all kinds of changes from various influencers. That means powerful money groups with big budgets will exert their influence.
Unfortunately, what these power groups want (for their group members or special interests) often does not square with what is best for the people or the nation.
But perhaps the Caring For Colorado Foundation has set an example for a possible partial solution or offset to the problem.
Congrats again to the foundation and thanks to Dr. Wiant for writing this article.
I would love to hear some comment's from dental health professionals on this??
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And don't forget about prevention as well. Many expensive dental
procedures could be avoided in the first place, if patient's were more
educated about prevention. My favorite.
Congratulations to Laurie McCauley, DDS, PhD - She is now the 13th Dean of the school (since 1875) and the first woman to hold this position.
I am delighted to hear about this. It is an important position that involves the ability to influence both staff and students in powerful ways.
I hope Dr. McCauley will use her new found powers for good!
Part of that work should be a focus on prevention
Dental health bills for patients are very expensive. Whenever expensive treatments can be legitimately avoided, it is a good thing.
Educating patients about prevention, particularly in regard to their periodontal health, can make a big difference. Even more so, because gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss.
If patient's were educated about keeping their periodontal pocket depths to 3mm and below, I'm pretty sure it would save them from expensive treatments in the future.
I sure hope Dr. McCauley will put special emphasis on preventing periodontal issues for the patient but impressing the great need for this service to the patients on her students.
Many people fear going to the dentist. They might fear the expense when problems are found. Or, they might fear the pain that goes along with fixing dental health problems.
In either case, It is safe to assume that most people would like to go to the dentist and have a great check up and not have be afraid.
Many of my customers are very happy. Gum disease is a big problem. When you are able to reduce your periodontal pocket depths - as measured at your next checkup by your dentist or hygienist, you might be a happier camper!
The real idea behind improving and / or maintaining dental health is your ability to reduce the plaque and tartar buildup between your regular dental cleanings.
You can ask your hygienist or dentist yourself, the will most likely agree that reducing that plaque and tartar is YOUR KEY to less dental health problems.
Imagine going to your regular checkups and having NO FEAR, NO PAIN and NO Extra expenses.
I thought this story about Dr. Tills, DDS and Dr. Mathew Kutz, DDS offering free oral cancer screenings was worthy of being talked about. Here is the full story from prweb.
I think it is fantastic that they are doing this. Oral cancer is obviously something serious and it is not something that most offices have the ability to screen for.
Therefore, an office that is offering free screenings - even if it is only for April 2013 is news worthy.
I'm delighted to hear of their work.
Of the many things that gum disease appears, according to researchers, to be related to, increased risk for oral cancer is one of them.
It's quite amazing when you consider the volume of research that shows a connection betweengum disease and all kinds of other disease, isn't it? It appears that a long term, chronic bacterial infection in the mouth (gum disease) leads to all kinds of more significant health problems.
The bacteria: p gingivalis has even been found in heart arterial plaque! Wow.
Prevention is important. And many dentists and hygienists are able to educate patients and help give them helpful tips, like using the HydroFloss at home, to help improve their periodontal health. And for many people it is working!
Congrats to Doctors Tills and Kutz for offering free screening for oral cancer during the month of April 2013!
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And don't forget about prevention as well. Many expensive dental
procedures could be avoided in the first place, if patient's were more
educated about prevention. My favorite.
Looks like Nova Southeastern has opened a clinic for special needs patients that mental and /or physical challenges. Here is the full story from Health News Florida.
This is good, special needs patients are probably very under served. I can imagine many private dental clinics with the capacity to handle them.
Congratulations to Nova Southeastern for finding an area that needs help and then providing that service to people.
It's delightful to think that special needs patients can get needed care. Perhaps that helps to easy their [extra] burdens in life.
Toothy Grins Store is willing to provide a special price on The Hydro Floss to the caregivers of special needs patients. To get this pricing, please call 1-888-586-6849 and ask for David. He will help you in this regard.
* I speak in general terms in this article. Specific questions about
your unique dental health situation should be directed to your
periodontist or dentist. They can provide you with advice, diagnosis
and treatment, this article cannot do that nor does it attempt to do so.
But, I hope it has helped to empower you with the information that
make a big difference in your dental health from hereon!
Dr. Ellie Phillips has really done a lot to further the cause of preventing dental health problems. This is something that should interest those who want to better protect their dental health and improve their odds of avoiding costly and painful treatments.
Keeping your teeth for a lifetime of good service is powered by prevention!
Thank you for all of your contributions, Dr. Ellie!
I applaud the University of Louisville for providing free clinics in Harlan county on March 23 and March 24 2013.
I think anytime the public can be served for free, it is usually a good thing. Of course, this is a teaching university so it is also important for the public to be aware of that as well.
Even though there will be faculty licensed dentists on hand, please keep in mind that getting a second opinion is sometimes advisable before having extensive work done.
Never-the-less I applaud the University for offering free clinics.
Dental Hygienists are definitely worthy of praise. The work they do is so very important to your dental health. It would be difficult to imagine a world without them.
Please provide as much detail as you can. Your name and city are also required.
Let's do our part to thank those who have served us and helped us with our dental health! They really are unsung heroes and are deserving of praise and recognition for what they do!
It is really true! Dental hygienists are really responsible for getting rid of all that built up plaque and tartar. They work harder scraping away day after day - all for the benefit of their patients.
They deserve to be recognized!
Everyone needs to get their teeth cleaned and this is the hard work that dental hygienists do each day. This is their contribution to our society. This is something you really can not do for yourself.
In addition, they provide useful tips and advice on how we can possibly do a better job of keeping our teeth and gums healthy. They are like dental health coaches.
Yes, it is really true, Dental Hygienists are the BEST. What they do is so important and the value cannot be overestimated. They are awesome.
So, thank you to all of the dental hygienists out there for helping us to keep our teeth and gums healthy!
PS: If you know of a dental hygienist you would like to have
recognized, please send their name and your name and city so that I can post that information on this site. Use this contact form to send in the information.
Only you have the power to do something at home. What you do,
every day, at home is the most important thing when it comes to your
dental health. There aren't many, if any, dental professionals that
would disagree with that. You can find one to ask if you don't believe
me.
* this site speaks in general terms only. For specific questions about
your own unique dental health situation, be sure to ask your
periodontist or dentist. Every human body is different and no one can guarantee any results. But it sure seems like your chances are better with prevention knowledge than without, doesn't it?
Oral cancer, it is estimated will be found in over 40,000 people this year. It is also estimated that 8,000 will die from it this year as well. That equates to 1 death every hour.
