A Focus on Oral Cancer: Exploring the Connection Between Oral Health and Total Health

Oral Health

Oral health serves as a vital aspect of overall well-being, with strong connections between dental care and many systemic health conditions, including oral cancer. The links between oral health and total health extend to oral cancer, a type of cancer that affects areas of the mouth, such as the lips, tongue, cheeks, and throat. Oral cancer can have a significant impact on overall health, especially if not detected early. Understanding the connection between oral health and oral cancer and the pivotal role of dental care in its prevention is essential. 

At Pickering Dental Services, our family dental care practice in Pickering, ON, we aim to provide our patients with the necessary knowledge and resources to maintain optimal oral health and ensure they understand the importance of dental care in support of their total wellness.

In this article, we will delve into the significant impact of oral health on overall health by focusing on oral cancer, highlighting the importance of routine dental check-ups for early detection and the role of dental care in oral cancer prevention. Learn about the various risk factors, symptoms, and preventative measures for oral cancer as you strive to maintain excellent oral health and enhance your overall well-being.

1. Oral Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing oral cancer. Identifying and understanding these risks is crucial in adopting preventative measures to maintain good oral and overall health. Some of the most common risk factors associated with oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco Use: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and smokeless tobacco are all significant contributors to oral cancer risk.
  • Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can also increase oral cancer risk, particularly when combined with tobacco use.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Infection with specific high-risk strains of HPV, a sexually transmitted virus, has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer.
  • Sun Exposure: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly for fair-skinned individuals, can raise the risk of developing lip cancer due to sun damage.
  • Diet: A diet low in fruits and vegetables has been correlated with a higher risk of oral cancer.
  • Age and Gender: Oral cancer is more common among adults over the age of 45 and is more prevalent in men.
  • Genetics and Family History: A family history of oral cancer or certain genetic conditions can increase one’s risk of developing the disease.

Understanding these risk factors and adopting preventative measures, such as quitting tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy diet, can significantly reduce the chances of developing oral cancer.

2. The Importance of Routine Dental Check-ups in Oral Cancer Detection

Regular dental check-ups are crucial not only for maintaining oral health but also for the early detection of oral cancer. Dentists are trained to recognize early signs and symptoms of oral cancer, and a routine dental exam typically includes an inspection of the oral cavity for suspicious lesions or abnormalities. Early detection can significantly improve an individual’s chances of successful treatment and recovery.

During a dental check-up, your dentist will examine the entire oral cavity, including the lips, inside of the cheeks, palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, throat, and neck. If any suspicious areas are identified during the examination, your dentist may recommend further testing, such as a biopsy or referral to a specialist.

3. Oral Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Oral cancer can manifest in various forms and can sometimes be asymptomatic in its early stages. However, recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with the disease can be life-saving. Some common signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:

  • A persistent sore, ulcer or lesion in the mouth that does not heal
  • Red or white patches inside the mouth or on the lips
  • Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the tongue or jaw
  • Numbness or tenderness in the mouth, lips, or tongue
  • Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • A feeling of an object lodged in the throat
  • Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, it is essential to schedule an appointment with your dentist for a thorough examination. Early detection and intervention are crucial in effectively treating oral cancer.

4. Dental Care Tips for Oral Cancer Prevention

Adopting a comprehensive dental care routine can help protect not only your oral health but also contribute to oral cancer prevention. Some essential dental care tips for oral cancer prevention include:

  • Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to maintain optimal oral health.
  • Limit Tobacco and Alcohol Use: Quitting tobacco and moderating alcohol consumption are some of the most effective ways to reduce oral cancer risk.
  • Maintain a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can contribute to cancer prevention.
  • Protect Your Lips from Sun Exposure: Use lip balm with SPF and wear wide-brimmed hats to protect your lips from sun damage.
  • Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups: Visit your dentist for routine examinations and professional cleanings at least every six months.
  • Self-Examine Your Mouth Regularly: Regularly check your oral cavity for any abnormalities, such as sores or patches, and report any concerns to your dentist.

Prioritize Oral Cancer Prevention and Detection with Pickering Dental Services

The critical relationship between oral health and total health, focusing on oral cancer, highlights the importance of dental care in prevention, early detection, and overall wellness. At Pickering Dental Services, our family dental care practice in Pickering, ON, is committed to offering comprehensive treatment and education to support our patients in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.

Don’t underestimate the significance of oral health in preventing and detecting oral cancer. Book an appointment with Pickering Dental Services’ caring and experienced dentists in Pickering today. Let us help you stay proactive in safeguarding your health by providing exceptional dental care, regular check-ups, and early detection of potential oral cancer signs. Together, we can ensure a healthier and brighter future for you and your loved ones.

Battling Aggressive Oral Cancer

oral cancer colorful word with stethoscope on wooden background

Diagnosis of cancer or even just a suspicion of cancer can be quite scary. Instantly, you think of people you know who lost their battles to cancer. You may even reflect on how most TV shows or movies that feature a character with cancer almost always has that person dying. You may be the one suffering or it could be someone dear to you – either way, cancer is something that can easily change the way you live your life.

Instead of living in fear, one of the things that you can do is to learn what you can about it. In this particular post, we aim to share with you some information on one of the most aggressive types of cancer which affects thousands of people every year – oral cancer.

Risk Factors

Knowing the causative factors of cancer can contribute to the prevention of the disease. For oral cancer, age is often named as a risk factor (it often occurs in those past the age of 40).  In the recent years, the anterior of the mouth, alcohol, and tobacco-associated cancers have declined in number along with a corresponding decline in smoking. Posterior of the oral cavity sites that are associated with the HPV16 viral cause, on the other hand, are increasing.

It is also likely that the accumulative damage caused by factors like excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and viral infections like HPV are the real culprits. It should also be noted that those who drink and smoke are at 15 times higher risk of developing oral cancer.

There are also physical factors like ultraviolet radiation exposure. This is often the cause of cancers of the lip, whose numbers have declined in the last few decades most likely because of increased awareness. People now understand the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to the sun and the benefits of wearing sunscreen. Biological factors associated with oral cancers include viruses and fungi. HPV16 in particular has been implicated in oral cancers.

Treatment

Once a definitive diagnosis is made and the cancer is staged, treatment may start. Treatment of oral cancers is often a multidisciplinary approach that involves the collaborative effort of dental practitioners, surgeons, chemotherapy oncologists, radiation oncologists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists.

The actual treatment modalities are often chemotherapy with concurrent radiation, and sometimes, surgery.

Chemotherapy is currently not used as a lone approach for oral cancers but instead added to decrease the possibility of metastasis, to reduce the size of malignancy before the surgery, and to sensitize the malignant cells to radiation. It is also a powerful component of treatment for patients with confirmed distant metastasis of the disease.

 

Before the curative treatment starts, other oral health needs have to be taken care of. It is necessary so the likelihood of getting post-therapeutic complications would be lessened. Teeth that have poor prognosis from caries or periodontal problems may be extracted. Avoiding post-radiotherapy surgery is important because it can sometimes induce osteonecrosis which happens when tissue damaged by radiation exposes the underlying bone and does not heal. A thorough prophylaxis or cleaning will probably be done before treatments start.

Every cancer phase potentially paves an avenue to discovering a new therapy for treatment. And with all the research being conducted, there is always a possibility that we will see cures for oral cancer in our lifetime.


 

Oral Cancer and What You Should Know

“You have cancer.” No one wants to hear this dreaded statement, of course. Cancer comes in different types since it is a disease of the cells in the body. We have different types of cells in the body and so different types of cancer can arise from those cells. However, all cancer types have something in common: the cancer cells are abnormal and they multiply aggressively.

 

What is mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer is a cancer that can develop in any part of the mouth including the gums, the tongue, the palate (roof of the mouth), under the tongue, and in the skin lining of the mouth, or the lips. It is also known as oral cancer.  It used to be uncommon but nowadays, many cases are diagnosed each year – many of these cases are diagnosed by dentists and dental pathologists rather than doctors.

 

What causes this cancer?

It only takes one abnormal cell to cause a cancerous (malignant) tumour to start. The exact reason as to why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. Studies say that something alters or damages certain genes in the cell – this makes the cell abnormal and causes it to multiply aggressively. Some people even develop mouth cancer for no apparent reason, but there are certain risk factors that increase the chance of mouth cancer from developing. These are:

 

*Alcohol – Excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing mouth cancer.

*Smoking – Just like other cancers, mouth cancer has a much higher incidence in smokers compared to non-smokers. This is also applicable for those who chew tobacco.

*Poor dental hygiene

*The human papillomavirus (HPV) might increase your risk of mouth cancer

*Dietary factors – eating a well-balanced diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and fish, and low in cholesterol can reduce the risk of oral cancer

 

What are its symptoms?

The most common symptom of this type of cancer would be a sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal.  In some cases, changes are seen in the mouth even before the cancer develops.  This means that early treatment of these changes might prevent a cancer from developing. Other symptoms include:

*Red or white patches anywhere in your mouth

*A lump on the lip, mouth, tongue or throat

*Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth

*Pain when chewing or swallowing

*Loose teeth feeling uncomfortable and not fitting properly

*Weight loss

*A lump in the neck

*Change in your voice or speech problems

Note: Of course, all of these symptoms could be innocent and might be directly linked to other conditions.  Any ulcer or sore that does not heal after three weeks should be checked and examined by Dr. Marvin Lean or one of his Associates at Pickering Square Dental.  Schedule up an appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.  .

 

 

How to Convince Your Children to Brush Their Teeth

If adults, who are aware of the importance of brushing their teeth still forget to do so, what more can you expect from children? Parents are supposed to brush their kids’ teeth until they turn 7. It might not be the most pleasurable experience – children might detest the act and it gets messy – but it is essential.

The Best Approach
When you are teaching the little ones about brushing their teeth, you should start with yourself. Make sure that you brush your own teeth in front of them without any implications. You are giving a subliminal message to your kid that it’s something that should be done on a regular basis. Yes, you have to be the role model. Just like with any daily routine, you have to let your kids know that brushing their teeth is a fun thing to do. Even as your child gets older, make it a habit that your child will sure to bring in adulthood.

Toothpaste IS Optional
Toothpaste can make children want go gag or spit – it definitely makes things messier – and brushing might seem like a chore to them instead of something fun. Don’t let toothpaste hinder your children from wanting to brush their teeth. If they don’t like the taste of toothpaste try different brands and flavours or, just make sure you let them hold their toothbrush and brush away, in the right manner, of course.

Use the Mirror
When you’re teaching your children how to brush, make sure you are both standing in front of a mirror. You cannot really train your child if you have him or her sit on the toilet as you train him or her. Stand beside your kid while he or she brushes his or her teeth, or if his or her age still needs assistance then assist him or her.

Prioritize Brushing
Don’t fit teeth brushing into your busy schedule. When your child sees that you are doing this, he or she might get the notion that brushing the teeth is more of an afterthought – something done as quickly as possible. Let  your child understand that their oral health is a priority.

Family Activity
Eating together is considered as a family activity. You can do the same with brushing your teeth. After a meal, your whole family can gather in the bathroom to brush your teeth at the same time. When you have younger kids, this will be beneficial to them – seeing both their parents and older siblings brush their teeth. You can even try to make it fun by letting one parent brush the other parent’s teeth, or let your child brush your teeth and vice-versa!

Be Positive
Threatening your child to brush his or her teeth might be the worst thing you can do. Don’t say silly things such as they will get punishment from the dentist of they don’t brush their teeth. Brushing their teeth, as well as going to the dentist, should be positive lifelong habits.

Why Root Canal Therapy Is More Important Than You Think

Male dentist working on teeth inside a mouth with an instrumentRoot canal is probably one of the most dreaded procedures of dental patients. However, it really is not that bad… root canal definitely relieves you from a nagging toothache and infection or abscess.  Teeth are meant to last for a lifetime, however, inevitable injuries or deep cavity damages the teeth. Thus, the insides of the teeth become infected. Root canal is a procedure that saves teeth by removal of bacteria and decay. 

Signs and Symptoms

Damaged and infected teeth that are not treated with root canal therapy will eventually abscess and would need extraction (removal). Some patients think that the extraction of damaged tooth is the best solution; however, tooth extraction might actually cause more significant problems for the adjacent teeth. Some of the signs and symptoms for requiring root canal therapy are:

  • Persistent and severe toothache
  • Sensitivity to cold and hot
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Abscess on gums
  • Swelling or tenderness
  • Irritation in the surrounding gum tissue
  • Visible signs of infection on X-rays
  • Foul taste or odour in the mouth

In the worst cases of infection, bacteria tend to reproduce to an extent that they can cause problems in other areas of the body. For example, bacteria can enter the blood stream through the bleeding and/or inflamed gums around the affected tooth – this can cause cardiovascular problems. In other cases, bacteria might cause a suppressed immune system, complications with pregnancy, diabetes, as well as digestive problems to name a few. 

Why is it necessary?

Each tooth is made up of three primary components:

  • hard outside layer (enamel)
  • soft middle layer (dentin)
  • inner layer of soft tissue (dental pulp)

The dental pulp is made up of blood vessels, nerve fibres, and lymph tissue. Root canal therapy might be required if decay has reached the pulp and the abscess or infection has reached either inside the tooth or at the tip of the root. If left untreated, the damaged pulp causes significant infection that eventually damages the bone around the tooth – this causes the death of the tooth. If you have damaged pulp, the infection can cause serious health problems such as cardiovascular issues – all without root canal therapy. 

Post-Root Canal Procedure

After the procedure, expect one or two days of soreness. Your dentist will definitely prescribe pain relievers in those first few days, and may give you an antibiotic(s) to fight off any residual bacteria. Once you’re relieved of the pain, you might be tempted to skip out on your scheduled follow-up visits. Make sure you don’t do that. Regular trips to the dentist are essential in ensuring that you have good oral health. This also prevents you from having to undergo another root canal procedure. Make sure you do your part. 

How Turmeric Can Help Treat Oral Cancer

 In recent years, there have been numerous studies conducted to measure the impact of natural products on our health. Now, we’ve recently discovered that the yellow spice turmeric could be beneficial in treating some forms of oral cancer. Our latest blog will go into further detail on the benefits turmeric provides and how you can begin to integrate the product within your daily health care regimen.

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is a leading factor behind the development of oral cancer. While researchers are studying potential cures for oral cancer and for HPV, they’ve found that the spice turmeric offers “established anti-viral and anti-cancer properties”. Researchers originally noted the impacted that turmeric can have on HPV and cervical cancers in 2005. Then, medical teams found that turmeric can help slow the expression of HPV and could control the HPV infection. The new findings further highlight the benefits that turmeric can have on our oral health.

The studies showed that turmeric can turn down the expression of HPV in infected oral cancer cells by down-regulating the AP-1 and NF-kB cellular transcription factors. These findings could indicate that turmeric can have a therapeutic role in oral cancer control as medical teams seek to minimize the extent of the danger oral cancer causes and control its spread across the body.

Turmeric for Daily Oral Health

In addition to its cancer-fighting properties, turmeric can also impact day-to-day oral health, research from the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology has shown. A study completed in 2014 found that rinsing the mouth daily with a solution containing 0.1% turmeric extract was more beneficial in terms of treating gingivitis than traditional mouthwash products. The study also showed that turmeric contained anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-plaque properties.

These studies continue to show that turmeric supplements, commonly available at most health food stores, can have a significant impact on oral health. It’s an area of rich promise for the dental health field and one that could be crucial to ensuring your optimal dental health in future! To learn more on this exciting development, speak with our trusted clinic team today!

Oral Health Tips For Midlife

If you’re entering your late 40s and early 50s, you might have recently discovered your oral health deteriorating. We know from industry data that visits to dental practices peak at the midlife stage. Oral health care is a significant issue for all patients, but especially those in the older age brackets. It’s important to understand how to protect your oral health as you age, and so within this post, we’ll outline several leading health tips for those in their mid-life stage.

Learn the Risks of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a disease that predominantly impacts older patients. The latest data shows that most oral cancer patients survive at least five years after diagnosis, however early diagnosis is essential to ensuring survival. If you’re entering the midlife stages, it’s now essential that you become acquainted with the risks factors behind oral cancer.

Risk factors include:

Excessive alcohol consumption

A family history of HPV

Heavy sun exposure

Heavy smoking

It’s also important to undergo regular oral cancer screenings with your dental health professional to ensure potential problems are found and treated at the earliest opportunity.

Understand the Signs of Gum Disease

As we grow older, problems with gum disease become more prevalent. More than half of adults over the age of 50 have some form of gum disease. Dental industry researchers have shown that gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other forms of oral health damage over time and so it’s important to recognize the signs of gum disease quickly as you grow older. Please review the following signs and ensure you visit a dental office as soon as possible if you have any of these issues:

Red, swollen or, puffy gums

Bleeding while brushing or flossing

Separating or, loose teeth

Receding gums

 

Discover your Cosmetic Dentistry Options

Cosmetic dentistry is a quickly evolving field. While, once, cosmetic treatments were only for those with enough money and time to undergo significant care work, now cosmetic treatments can be completely simply and effectively within your local dentist office. Options such as whitening, dental implants and veneers are available for all dental patients. If you feel the look of your teeth is impacting your well-being, it could be the ideal time to speak one of our Team Members here at Pickering Square Dental about your cosmetic options.

Our bodies are continuously changing as we age. It’s important to recognize how these changes are taking place and what it means for our oral health. Effective care at any age requires consistent treatment alongside a trusted professional. To discover more midlife oral health care tips, speak with the team at our dental clinic today!