National Oral Cancer Month

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month! This month, the goal is to raise awareness on the importance of performing monthly self-exams and recognizing the signs of oral cancer. “According to MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website, over 51,500 people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth, throat, tonsils and tongue each year.”

Be sure you are checking for anything that looks and feels abnormal:

• Any sore or ulceration that does not heal within 14 days.
• Any abnormality that bleeds easily when touched.
• A lump or hard spot in the tissue, usually border of the tongue.
• A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, that does not heal.
• A lump or thickening that develops in the mouth.

“Historically, those at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer have been heavy drinkers and smokers older than age 50.”  If you notice any unusual changes to your gums or mouth, contact us. 

Gum Disease and Kids

Did you know periodontal disease can also affect children? According to AAP, aggressive periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis are types of gum disease in children.

Types of Periodontal Disease in Children: 

Chronic gingivitis is common in children. This can cause gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily. Aggressive periodontitis can affect older children such as teenagers, even young adults. Localized aggressive periodontitis can mainly affects the first molars.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis may begin around puberty and involve the entire mouth. Symptoms include the  inflammation of the gums and heavy accumulations of plaque. Eventually it can cause the teeth to become loose.

Overall puffiness in gums, bleeding and recession are all noticeable symptoms of gum disease. Some simple ways to avoid gum disease in children is to establish a oral hygiene routine that involves brushing and flossing every night. Schedule dental visits for periodontal check-ups, and regular cleanings. Checking your child's mouth, especially when they are young, can also help identify symptoms, before they get worse.

3 Things to Do if Your Gums are Bleeding

As your brushing your teeth you notice a bit of pink when you spit out toothpaste or while flossing. It may not seem like a big deal, however if your gums are bleeding constantly, do not ignore it. This can be a sign of periodontal disease.

Switching up your oral health routine can also contribute to slight bleeding. Here are three things you can do if your gums are bleeding.

• Tools: You have begun flossing and brushing regularly, congratulations! However, if you are experiencing bleeding, take a second look at your tools such as your toothbrush. “Although it might seem that a toothbrush with medium or firm bristles cleans your teeth and gums more deeply or thoroughly, harder bristles usually just cause irritation – which can be why your gums are bleeding.”

• Diet: “What you eat and when you eat it also plays a part in keeping your gums from bleeding. Foods that contain lots of sugar or simple carbohydrates increase your risk for tooth and gum problems, as sugar creates an ideal environment for plaque to form. Commit to a diet that is low in sugar and high in the necessary nutrients found in foods like vegetables.”

• Mouthwash: Utilize mouthwash to wash away bacteria and plaque. There are various types of mouthwash, so be sure to use the appropriate one for your oral health needs. 

Healthy Tips for a New Year

It’s time for a new year, new habits and new resolutions. January is the perfect time to create new habits that are healthy and that your teeth will thank you for in the future.

1. Brush Enough: How long are we supposed to brush our teeth? The ADA recommends brushing for at least two minutes, twice daily. Need help discovering how long is 2 minutes? Try listening to short song, cue up a two-minute timer on your phone to give yourself the time you need to thoroughly clean your teeth.

2. Change Your Toothbrush: An easily avoidable habit we can change is to switch out our toothbrush every 3-4 months.

3. Floss! Floss! Floss! Flossing is obviously a huge health benefit most people overlook. Like brushing, flossing must be done properly so that, when you reach between teeth, you actually get to the germs that are stuck there. Keep in mind the floss should rub against the teeth in a motion that creates a forward or backward 'C' shape, wrapping the floss around each tooth.

4. Stop Snacking: Ideally, you want to avoid snacking. If snacking is a big issue, be sure to brush your teeth after  because it can allow food particles and sugar to remain on your teeth for too long, providing fuel for bacteria that feeds on it.

Smile Bright in 2019

At Lubbock Periodontics, we want to ensure you have plenty of healthy reasons to smile. We believe a smile is a universal language and that your smile affects your self-image, and can greatly influence the quality of your interactions with others. Many people hold back from laughing or smiling because they are uncomfortable about their appearance when they do.

Take a Smile Analysis and determine how you want to smile in the new year. The Smile Analysis will ask you to answer questions such as:

• Do any of your teeth appear too small, short, large or long?
• Do you have any gaps or spaces between your teeth?
• Do you have any crowns or bridges that appear dark at edge of gums?
• Are the edges of any teeth worn down, chipped or uneven?

https://www.lubbockperiodontics.com/smile-analysis.php

2 Types of Mouthwash for Healthier Gums

Bad breath can result from the foods we eat, forgetting to brush our teeth or more often, a sign of periodontal disease. If bad breath persist, you may definitely want to set up an appointment to check on your gums and oral health. Seeing a periodontist is the best way for your smile to remain healthy and/or prevent any diseases.

There are different types of mouthwash that one can buy, each with a different function that can help keep your smile healthy. Here are 2 types of mouthwash for healthier gums.

1. Fluoride Mouthwash:
You’ve heard how fluoride helps your teeth. Well fluoride in mouthwashes, does just that and helps protect your teeth from cavities and tooth decay. Healthy teeth affects your gums and roots, which help prevent periodontal disease.

2. Antiseptic Mouthwash:
The most common type of mouthwash is antiseptic mouthwash, found in most households. You may probably have some in your bathroom cabinet. This type of mouthwash contains alcohol and used to eliminate bad breath and fight infections in your mouth. Along with brushing your teeth and flossing, all three work together to fight bad breath and bacteria, keeping your smile healthy.

Halloween Reminders

Halloween means fun times for every one at any age, dressing up and an endless amount of free candy. With all the free sugary treats at work or at home, your taste buds will surely love the sugar, your teeth and gums – not so much.

Halloween can be a fantastic opportunity to remind your kids or grandkids of essential oral health routines. Be sure not to skip out on these essential routines:

• Brush Your Teeth Together: Make brushing your teeth a routine every morning and every night. Stick to the routine and ensure that you and your family keep a specific time for brushing your teeth; this will build a great daily habit. 

• Flossing is Key: Flossing every day is even more important when you have braces. If you’re having trouble flossing, just use a floss threader with regular floss, or buy special stiff-tipped floss made for braces wearers. 

• Use Mouthwash: Using mouthwash is so important to fight bacteria in the mouth. Mouthwash can easily remove food debris from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. After brushing and flossing, you can swish it around your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. This will remove any lingering bacteria and will even help with inflammation of the gums.